How many of you remember the television show M*A*S*H (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital)? When I was a kid, I hated the M*A*S*H, but my Dad loved it, which meant that we watched the show all the time.
In one of the earlier episodes of M*A*S*H, the doctor known as “Trapper John” gets diagnosed with a stomach ulcer. Although initially upset about having to deal with a hole in his gut, Trapper John soon beams with joy when his bunkmate Hawkeye reminds him that according to Army regulations, Trapper was going home! His ulcer was his ticket out of the misery of the Korean War.
As the episode progresses, they arrange a huge farewell party for Trapper John. But minutes before Trapper shows up for his party, he is informed by the Company Clerk, Radar, that the Army had recently changed its regulations and his ulcer would have to be treated right there in Korea. Trapper goes to the party anyway and allows the festivity and joy of the evening to proceed for a good long while until he’s asked to give a final speech, at which time he tells everyone the truth: he’s not going anywhere after all.
But throughout the party, both Trapper John and Radar have a look in their eyes that betrays the truth, if anyone had looked close enough to notice. Trapper John smiles and even laughs during the party at times but it’s a bit muted and the sadness in his eyes tells the reason why: it’s a nice party but it’s not going to end the way he had hoped or the way all the other partygoers were anticipating.
I wonder if someone had looked deep into Jesus’ eyes on Pal Sunday if they might have seen something similar. Like the other gospel writers, Luke portrays Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as a joyful celebration of the arrival of the king, but Luke’s version includes some dark events and some ominous words. I wonder if the sorrow in Jesus’ eyes said, “This is a nice party but it’s not going to end the way all the partygoers were anticipating.” Let’s take a look at Luke’s version of the triumphal entry story!
The Humble King (28-38)
As Jesus approached Jerusalem, he began to direct the events. Near Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, some two miles from Jerusalem, he tells his disciples to procure an animal for entry into the capital. Luke describes the animal only as a previously unridden colt, but the other gospel writers specify the colt as a donkey. The disciples must untie the animal, and if anyone asks what they are doing, they are to simply say that the Lord needs it. This may seem a bit strange to us today, but in this culture it was customary for dignitaries such as rabbis to use people’s property for personal reasons. (For instance, if your pastor tells you that he needs to borrow your vacation home or time-share for the Lord’s work, don’t ask any questions!) The owners had no objection to the disciples taking the colt once they knew that it was needed for the Lord’s service.
Once the donkey was secured, Jesus’ disciples fashioned a makeshift saddle out of their cloaks and mounted him on the beast. As he rode along, the a large crowd of people gathered and laid their cloaks on the ground to create a type of royal red carpet; they waved their palm branches in patriotic fervor; and they sang their hosannas of praise to God and shouted the words of Psalm 118:26: “Blessed is he who come in the name of the Lord.” Their king had finally come, and it was time to celebrate. But the whole time Jesus knew it wasn’t going to end the way the crowd was expecting; for he was not the type of king they were expecting.
Jesus’ choice of animal to ride for his coronation celebration shows us what kind of king he would be. A common donkey, a beast of burden, symbolized peace and gentleness. Kings typically rode on war horses, which symbolized pride and power. Jesus rode a donkey because would not succumb to the expectations of the crowd. He was not a political or military king. His mission was not to conquer the Romans or deliver the Jews from physical oppression. He was a humble king who came to conquer Satan and deliver the world from the penalty of sin.
It is so sad, but people treat Jesus the same way today! It is easy to get excited about Jesus when we think he is going to give us what we want, but it is just as easy to turn our backs on him when he disappoints us. We love to pray to Jesus when we or a loved one is sick, but if Jesus doesn’t heal, we don’t want to pray anymore. We are quick to serve Jesus when we think he supports our pet agendas, but we want nothing to do with him when we find out that his plans are different from our plans.
Jesus’ actions at the triumphal entry show what kind of king he is and isn’t! The irony shows us Jesus’ kingship is not a political or military, but it is spiritual. Jesus is no one’s political advocate or military conqueror; he is a humble king who came to Jerusalem to die for the salvation for our souls. Have you received Jesus as your savior and king?
Singing Stones (39-40)
Well, not everyone was celebrating the arrival of the king. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, Luke tells us that a group of Pharisees approach Jesus and ask him to reject the claims of kingship and rebuke his disciples. These claims were offensive to them. They did not even believe that Jesus was a genuine prophet from God, let alone the promised Messiah or Son of God. They saw only a false prophet riding on a donkey. They thought the crowd’s claims were blasphemous and they demanded that Jesus to put a stop to it.
But Jesus refused to silence the people’s praises. Instead, he rebukes the Pharisees when he says, “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” By this, he is saying that if his disciples do not speak, the rest of creation will. He is implying that the inanimate creation knows more about what is taking place than they do. The Pharisees do not understand the nature of the God they spend so much time talking about. But for those who do see the king, praise is the only appropriate response!
Like the Pharisees, we all have to make a decision about Jesus! Is he the King of Kings or a false prophet riding on a donkey? Was the crowd shouting words of blasphemy or words of worship? Do you understand the nature of the God you talk about? Have you made a decision about Jesus Christ?
If Jesus really is the King, our only appropriate response is praise and worship! When we consider who he really is and what he has done for us by dying on the cross for our sins, praise should leap from the depth of our souls to the tips of our tongues! Therefore, I say to you today: If Jesus is the king, speak his praise from your mouth! If Jesus is the king, shout his praise with your lips! If Jesus is the king, proclaim his praise with your whole being! Because if you don’t, the rocks will!
A Crying King (41-44)
As Jesus approached Jerusalem, Luke gives us a unique look at Jesus’ heart. As Jesus looked up at the holy city in the distance, I wonder what thoughts went through his mind? Perhaps he thought about the glory of King David when he established Jerusalem as Israel’s capital a thousand years earlier. Perhaps he thought about all of the words that the prophets had spoken about this city. Perhaps he was thinking about how in just a few days his hands and feet would be nailed to a wooden cross and he would be lifted up to die in that city. One thing we can be sure of it that he thought about how the Jewish people had waited so long for the arrival of the Messiah, and now that he was here, they had rejected him. All of the emotions of Jesus’ humble humanity came to him at once; deep sorrow filled his heart and tears began to stream down his face. Amid all of the shouts and cheers of this Palm Sunday celebration, he began to weep over the city. Jesus was a crying king!
Like the weeping prophet Jeremiah from the Old Testament, with tears in his eyes, Jesus declares pending judgment for the nation. Though some individuals had responded to his call, the nation as a whole had rejected him. Rejection of the divinely selected king will cost greatly. The nation of Israel missed the Messiah who could bring them true peace, and now it was time for him to go. The consequence for missing the Messiah was physical destruction. Here Jesus looks ahead to A.D. 70 when the Roman government would have enough of the Jewish rebellions and would destroy Jerusalem. They would rampage the walls, demolish the temple, and murder the children.
As we see Jesus’ tears trickle down his cheeks and consider Jesus’ prophecy of judgment on Jerusalem, it ought to cause us to stop and think about what we have done with the Messiah; both individually and as a nation. Have you put your faith in Jesus Christ as your savior or have you been holding him at arm’s length? Have you accepted him as your king or have you been rejecting the call of his kingdom? I plead with you to bow your life before the king today! Rejection always leads to judgment!
And for our nation, I don’t know about you, but I fear for a nation that would reject Jesus with its attitudes, law, and policies. I fear for a nation that has the audacity to declare something right when God has called it wrong. I wonder about the consequences for a nation that has been visited by God but has missed him. Missing the Messiah always leads to judgment!
It was thirty or so years after Jesus uttered these words before Jerusalem was destroyed. I wonder how long it will be before…
Well, as we join together in this Palm Sunday celebration today, remember that Jesus is a humble king who came to die to atone for our sins! Remember to wave your palm leaves, shout your blessings, and sing your praises to the king; if you don’t, the rocks will! But while you celebrate, make sure to remember to look at Jesus’ face. Make sure you see his tears of rejection and impending judgment. Make sure you know what will bring you true peace! Make sure you recognize the time of God’s coming to you! Make sure you hear the call of the crying king!