Mar
30
2015
Role Reversal
Posted in Holy Week 4 Comments
How blessed we were by the children in our church during our Palm Sunday service.
They stood on risers and sang to all of us as our worship service began.
They sang a song about Hosanna, a word that means, O save!
Their little voices sounded much like the children when Jesus entered the city.
That day, Jesus entered the city on a donkey.
Jesus the One who set His face towards Jerusalem.
Jesus, who resolutely rode on to die.
And so the children sang.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna to the Son of David.
Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna to the Son of David.
Hosanna this is Jesus.
(Hosanna, by Betsy Hernandez)
When they finished, they were to sit down on the risers for the children’s sermon.
The associate pastor, who was teaching them, sat down in the first pew.
He told them, with a twinkle in his eye, that everyone would be watching them today.
One little boy called out, Today WE are the pastors!
Everyone laughed at his comment.
He was right.
Today there was a role reversal.
The pastor sat in the pew and the children sat in the place of the teacher.
We could see the children’s faces but could only see the pastor’s back.
Just for today they traded places.
We could see their enthusiasm as they answered questions.
We could hear their small feet on the plastic risers as they shifted positions.
Role reversal.
Each was in the place of the other.
Such a thing happened before.
The role reversal, all wrapped up in one word: Hosanna!
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and He will send them right away. This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See you king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna, to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matthew 21:1-11)
The people wanted a Messiah who would save them from the Romans.
Hosanna (O save) had political overtones.
Hosanna was a common greeting as the pilgrims traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover.
Today, the One they knew as Jesus the Nazarene rode on a donkey as He entered the city.
When a king entered a city, you could tell much about him by what he rode upon.
If a king came riding on a white horse, he came for war.
If a king came riding on a donkey, he came in peace.
Jesus was riding on a donkey; Jesus came to save.
Jesus will come again.
On that day He will be riding a white horse.
On that day He will come to judge.
On that day the time of His coming in peace has passed.
I saw heaven 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 He 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. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He reads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Revelation 19:11-16)
Jesus came into Jerusalem on a donkey.
That day He came in peace.
One day, at the end of history, there will be a role reversal.
Jesus will come back, riding a white horse; this time He is ready for war.
Jesus is always King.
Jesus is always Lord.
However the last day will be much different from the first.
The role reversal is evident by what He rides upon: first a donkey, then a white horse.
The role reversal from the One who comes in peace to the One who comes to judge.
The same Jesus but with a different role as determined by His Father.
Hosanna (O save) meant far more than the people realized.
Jesus came, not to save the people from the Romans but He came to save the Romans.
Jesus came to save those who believe that He is the Messiah, the Son of God.
Know Him now before His roles are reversed.
Yes and Amen. Every knee will bow down before Our Messiah. Thank you for your beautiful written post. Hugs~
Sara
Sara,
Can you imagine that day?
What a sight that will be!
Gina
I never thought of this role reversal. Truly the Holy Spirit is inspiring you, Gina, with wonderful insights. Bless you!
Sue,
HE gets all the praise!
Gina