Notes to the Lord: Messiah

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 21 1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,

Lord Jesus--The contrast between your thoughts and the disciples thoughts at entering Jerusalem must have been jarring to experience. You went there knowing that you would not be leaving except by death. They entered hoping that you would do something, they really did not know what. They had heard your warning of impending doom, but they dismissed them.

2saying 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. 3If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

Lord Jesus--You rode into Jerusalem that day on a borrowed burro. You heard the excitement in the voices of the people, “finally” the crowds thought you had come to the center of what it is to be Jewish.

That hot and dusty day going into Jerusalem there were expectations in the minds and hearts of the people. There was celebration in the air...there was nationalism and pride in the balm branches as they waved them in the air.

4This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5"Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "

Lord Jesus--Thank you for entering into the city that would kill you. You went into the city wide eyed and knowing that it would cost you your life. Not only that but you knew where that colt and his mother was tied. You knew the details of what was to come.

6The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.

Lord Jesus--I wonder what the thoughts were of the disciples as they brought the colt and mother back to you. Did they wonder how you knew it was there? Did they think that you had come ahead and prepared for this entrance?

8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna[d] in the highest!"

Lord Jesus--The cries of the crowd must have sounded thin and shallow to your ears. They used the right words of praise that had messiah hopes at their center. Yet the expectations that were just under the surface...

I wonder how the disciples reacted. Did they join in the praises? How many of the expectations of the crowd did they share? Work in my expectation, my hopes and my dreams, Lord Jesus. Reshape my hopes and my dreams into what You would have them to be. They are yours to do with them as you see fit.

10When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" 11The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

The crowds were close to knowing who you were...they hailed you by messianic terms and yet they missed the point. How often do I almost get it? Yet just like this crowd, I see a bit of the truth and miss the essence of your call in my life?

Lord Jesus in the middle of it all don’t let me miss the essence as I seek to follow your steps.