|
The Bible Says
On that first Palm Sunday two thousand years ago, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords rode into Jerusalem on a little donkey -- hardly the way a conquering hero would be expected to ride! Warriors, of that day rode prancing steeds! Why did He who had power over all nature, with everything in heaven and earth at His command, choose such a humble way to claim a kingdom? Jesus knew on that day He was not about to be crowned King. He knew, rather, that He would soon be crowned with thorns! He tried to forewarn His disciples, but they said, “Not so Lord! Be that far from you! You are not going to die! You are going to live. You are going to be our King!” Multitudes that day spread their garments before Him, shouting ”Hosanna! Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord! Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men! Hosanna in the Highest!”(Matt.21:9).
He could easily have made Himself King. He had multitudes behind Him. He could have called a legion of angels (Matt. 26:52,53), but that wasn’t necessary either. One angel could have handled the Roman army. Why then was he not made King? It is all explained in one inspired statement, “But how then shall the Scripture be fulfilled that thus it must be?” (Matt. 26:54; Isa. 53:1-12)
He was as human as He was divine. As the Son of God He declared, “Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God.”-- As a normal human being, He prayed, “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” He did not look forward to the sufferings of the cross. More than that He wanted the continued approval of His Heavenly Father, but He had to choose. Either He could become the King of Israel with the continual approval of His Heavenly Father, or He could become man’s Redeemer. In order to redeem man He must become the personification of sin, lose His close relationship with the Father and cry out from the cross, “My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” That is the cry of a lost soul in Hell. The decision? Our compassionate Christ “loved us and gave Himself for us” (Eph. 5:25). Fortunately, the moment the justice of God was taken care of and the penalty for sin was paid, the divine relationship between Jesus and His Heavenly Father was restored, and He was able to pray, “Father into Thy hands I commend my spirit.” In the shelter of the fold. But one was out on the hills away, Far off from the gates of gold; Away on the mountain wild and bare, Away from the tender Shepherd’s care, Away from the tender Shepherd’s care. “Lord, Thou hast here thy ninety and nine; Are they not enough for Thee?” But the Shepherd made answer: “This of mine Has wandered away from Me; And although the road be rough and steep I go to the desert to find My sheep, I go to the desert to find my sheep.” But none of the ransomed ever knew How deep were the waters crossed; Or how dark was the night that the Lord passed thru’ E’er He found the sheep that was lost. Out in the desert He heard it’s cry—“ Sick and helpless and ready to die, Sick and helpless and ready to die. But all thru’ the mountains, thunder-riv’n, And up from the rocky steep, There rose a cry to the gate of heav’n, Rejoice! I have found My sheep!” And the angels echoed around the throne, “Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own! Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own.”
Mark tells of a rich young man who came running to Jesus with one important question, “What shall I do that I might inherit eternal life?” (Mk. 10:17). Later he went away sorrowfully because he loved his earthly riches more than his eternal soul (verse 22). The only thing said about our Lord’s attitude toward him was, “Jesus beholding him loved him” (verse 21). Are we prompted by love? Jesus voluntarily stretched out both His arms on the cross of Calvary and permitted them to drive those cruel nails in the palms of His hands! He said, “No man taketh my life from me, I lay it down of myself . . .” Why? Because He loves us and was willing to die in our place! Do we share His great compassion? The Bible says,
“I beseech you therefore brethren, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:1,2).
|