It had been building up to this for a long time. Jesus had told His disciples numerous times about what must happen, and now, after He had set His face toward Jerusalem, He was here to fulfill the mission - redemption in Grace.
He had earlier raised an army in the face of the Romans and fed them (5,000 men - 14:13-21), but had not handed out weapons, instead arming them with teachings on the values of the Kingdom of God in the face of worldly empire values.
Now, Jesus would face down Rome again. Before cleansing the Temple and confronting the Temple Cult leaders who were in collusion with Herod and Rome, and who corruptly misused God's Word for their own gain, Jesus would mock Rome and its values right before their eyes, and give them a glimpse of real power.
He must have looked ridiculous, sitting on the donkey and/or colt. Romans would come, marching in with their cohort of 5500 men, organized and lined up, marching in step, behind a commander who was riding on a mighty steed, with weapons drawn, pointing skyward. It was a show of force and dominant power. Even their version of Peace, the Pax Romana, was uneasy and false because it was built on coercion by force. No one dared to question or challenge Rome. They showed their might at every opportunity.
Jesus, Son of God, Messiah and Son of Man, chose a humble, even humiliating spectacle for His triumphal march into the city. His baffled disciples wandering in with Him, He was perched on this tiny animal. The army did not follow them into the city. His army was all around them. And instead of swords and spears, it was tree branches that were waved. And instead of well known, appropriate shouts that were uttered in fear and contempt, the crowds shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Save us" is what Hosanna means. It is not a shout of praise, but a plea, given here in joyful expectation. They were at the same time praising Jesus and asking Him to deliver them from occupation and oppression. They also shouted blessings on Jesus the prophet, the Messiah for His deliverance, though they did not know exactly what that would look like.
It was a heart-felt celebration and moment of anticipation. It must have been ridiculously glorious and humiliatingly impressive! A parody on Rome in their face. Putting the ridiculousness of worldly empire values in its place by demonstrating real power in Kingdom of God values.
And the people crowded into the holy city for their celebration of Pesach knew exactly what it meant, they thought. God was finally facing down with Rome. Herod and the Temple Cult leaders were finally going to get what they deserved for their collusion with Rome. At the Passover, the time of celebrating their Liberation from Egypt as slaves, they would now see God's deliverance of them from Rome's tyranny. It would be historic. It would mean a restoration of the nation and the Temple. Many in that crowd expected perhaps a return of the nine plagues or smoke and fire, perhaps drowning soldiers and certainly the wailing of their enemies.
What they got was Jesus, come to be the Pesach Lamb. What they got was the sacrifice necessary for their deliverance from despair and hopelessness. What they got was the one whose blood would be shed and body would be broken for their deliverance from their bondage. Jesus, the Pesach Lamb, had arrived. The power of the Kingdom of God is not an external thing, like soldiers marching to be seen by the people, but an internal thing that moves people to respond in love and joy. It is not a fearful thing that uses coercion to demand compliance, thus producing contempt, but the power to move hearts and minds to respond out of genuine love and be transformed within. God's power lifts people up over power, neighbors and strangers and enemies above profit, and liberation over oppression. God's power stands in the face of empire and scoffs at its idea of power. God's power arises from within and allows even an occupied and oppressed people to resist tyranny with dignity and in hope. It produces joy, even the face of the misery produced by worldly empire values. God's power delivers because it emanates from God's love. God transforms lives by giving Hope.
Jesus had come to go to the Cross. His lynching would be the culmination of God's work through Him to deliver people from utter despair. It would become the most talked about execution in the history of the world. The meaning of His death would mean redemption from sin and the promise of life, even in death. The Pesach Lamb was offered and the liberation of hearts, souls and minds had begun.
So, to the Cross.
Pastor Jamie
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