Nice Ride:: Luke 19:28-44
May 20th, 2006
Dave Mertz
35 “They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. ”
It would seem a bit less than stately to see our Commander-In-Chief traveling into town in his presidential motorcade riding in a clunky, beaten down ’72 Ambassador station wagon. It would be much too humble a mode of transportation for someone of his stature. Much too base for the one who holds the highest office in the land.
The entrance that Christ made as He entered Jerusalem showed great humility that was consistent with His character and His course. His personality and His purpose. From a borrowed “crib” in a manger for His birth, to a borrowed colt that would carry Him on the first leg of the journey toward His crucifixion. The King of kings and the Lord of lords, the Name who is above every other name, humbled Himself, even unto death on the cross. All of these specific aspects of Christ’s life were prophecies fulfilled, and all were clothed in rich humility.
Paradoxes abound once again as the Lord and Maker of Heaven and Earth makes His triumphal entrance on a base and basic creature, such as a common donkey. (What a contrast from His next triumphal entrace, when He wil ride up through the clouds on a majestic horsesThe Innocent One dies a criminals’ death on the cross. The sinless One bears the weight of the world’s sin on his guiltless shoulders.
As Christ entered Jerusalem, the crowd laid their clothes down before Jesus as an act of praise and reverence for His majesty. I ask myself, “What am I laying down before the Lord?” Are Christ’s triumphs the focal point of my praises?
Lord, thank You for Your humilty. For the way You humbled Yourself to step onto our sod. For the way that You humbled Yourself to serve others. May I respond in kind as I speak and act and lay myself down in and with peuposeful gentleness and deliberate humility.