ClueLESS (Audio)

“Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!” 

These words from Psalm 118 are what the crowd shouted with joy as Jesus made his way into Jerusalem on a donkey. After the miracles Jesus had done in Galilee and Jerusalem, and more recently the raising of Lazarus to life after four days in the tomb, Jesus’ reputation is soaring.

Jesus is hailed by the crowd as their long expected Messiah – and given a king’s welcome. Their shout: “Blessed is the king of Israel!” expresses their hopes and dreams that Jesus would bring freedom from Roman occupation, Roman taxes, and Roman brutality.  Many assume: “If he can raise the dead to life again, then nothing can stand in his way. A person with Jesus’ power is exactly the Messiah-King we need!”

Sadly, they are clueless to the sort of Messiah he is – and the path to freedom Jesus will forge for all people through his sacrificial death and resurrection victory.

While Judas Iscariot may have tried to tip Jesus’ hand through his act of betrayal, the rest of the disciples are also clueless as to nature of Jesus’ kingship. They don’t understand the significance of Jesus riding into town on a donkey.  In spite of Jesus’ repeated passion predictions, they couldn’t make sense of what unfolded – until afterwards.

As the crowd greets Jesus with a rock star welcome, the religious leaders are scratching their heads over how to eliminate him when he has such a large fan base. ‘Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!”’ (John 12:19 NLT)

Yet within a few days the crowd were shouting: “Crucify him!”

The passion of crowd hysteria is powerful.  And fickle!

Jesus knew this would happen.  Yet he does not turn away from his destiny – and our destiny.  For the joy of seeing you and me in eternity with him, Jesus willingly endured the cross scorning its shame (Hebrews 12:2).  His passionate love for the world moves him to make the ultimate sacrifice for us!

May Jesus’ passion for each of us fuel our passion to serve, encourage and bless others in his name!

Shalom!

Pr Rolly Stahl