The Entrance

He came on a donkey with their cloaks on the road.
The branches were strewn on the ground.
Hosanna, they shouted, as most travelers do,
They waved the palms all around.

The Son of David, they loudly proclaimed.
He who comes in the name of the Lord.
The kingdom is coming, they say…He is blessed.
Their voices raised in one accord.

Hosanna…O, Save…were the words they had said.
Save us from the Romans, so cruel.
If they only knew, He would save from much more.
His own Kingdom…where as King He will rule.

In this joyful refrain, as they waved palms about,
The tears would fall from His eyes.
If you only knew how I want to hold you.
His lament…filled with audible cries.

If you only knew…but it’s hidden from you,
Your enemies, soon they will come.
Build an embankment and circle you in,
You don’t know where they’ll be from.

You’ll be dashed to the ground…your children will, too.
No stone will be left on another.
You did not recognize God’s coming to you.
Destroyed are your sisters and brothers.

As He entered the temple, He drove them all out.
The robbers who set up their wares.
The changing of money…the selling of doves,
God’s house, not for business…but prayers.

He saw in the tree, that had leaves but no figs,
Religion…all show…but no fruit.
The fig tree He cursed, in frustration and hurt,
Had withered right down to the roots.

So begins the week with its highs and its lows,
He would enter, then be cast off outside.
The road to the cross to save those who are lost,
Ones He loved…that would be called His Bride.

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Can you imagine the sight?
Jesus…the One who is to come…the Messiah…the Son of God.
Riding on a donkey.

The animal a king rode, as he entered a city, was very telling.
If he rode a donkey, the king came in peace.
If he rode a white horse, the king came for war.

Do not be afraid, O daughter of Zion; see your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.
(Zechariah 9:9)

This time, Jesus came on a donkey.
He came in peace.

The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Isaiah 61:1,2)

Jesus read this scroll of the prophet Isaiah when he was in the synagogue in Nazareth.
As He finished reading, He rolled up the scroll and told the people that, Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. (Luke 4:21)

Jesus stopped reading right before the end of the second verse of Isaiah.
The next part of the verse says, and the day of vengeance of our God…(Isaiah 61:2)

That day of vengeance…that day of judgment…will happen when Jesus comes back.
That day, the animal Jesus is riding, will be very telling.

I saw heaven standing open and there before Me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. (Revelation 19:11-15)

Two very different entrances.
Two very different animals our King will be riding.

Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem…with a saving purpose.
He had you and me in mind!

He knew that He had to endure the cross.
He had you and me in mind!

He new that He would be betrayed by one that dipped bread in his bowl.
He had you and me in mind!

He knew He would be denied by a friend…the one He forgave and then restored.
He had you and me in mind!

He had you and me in mind…on the donkey…on the road…in His tears.
All the way to the cross.

On His mind…all the way!