28 March 2010
Palm Sunday:
Psalm 24, 29; Zech. 9:9-12; 1 Tim. 6:12-16; Luke 19-41-48

The prophetic word of Zechariah is fulfilled today in Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city. Riding on a donkey would have been a sign of peace not war, the horse was the animal of war. That the king rides in on a donkey is symbolic of a land at peace, with no expectation of war at all. The Messiah will bring an everlasting peace to Jerusalem, but we know that will come when there is a new Jerusalem, a new heaven and a new earth. We know that the king has come and has fulfilled this prophecy but the fullness of the fulfillment awaits the coming of the new creation. We celebrate, as it were, scene one of the final act of the drama while longing for the conclusion.

Jesus weeps over Jerusalem both for what might have been and for what will be. If they had recognized Him then what is to come, the destruction of the city and the former temple taken over now by another religion, would never have happened. Their failure to recognize Him, however, led to the door opening for us to come into the kingdom. On this day He goes to the Temple to at least drive out the moneychangers who had set up shop in the court of the Gentiles, symbolically clearing the way for us to have access and then He began teaching in the courts. As He does, the religious leaders plot His demise.

Paul encourages his protégé, Timothy, to fight the good fight, just as Jesus has done and although he doesn’t say it here, just as Paul himself has done and is doing. We are called to stand on the truth and proclaim it even when it is difficult or unpopular, even when it brings persecution. It is our duty and our joy to keep watch and wait for the coming of the King and that keeping watch requires us to tell the world of this matchless King. If we are to celebrate His coming with joy we must be prepared for Him at all times, living so that we might be found acceptable to Him but knowing that we are frail and weak but He is willing and able to forgive and restore us in our weakness.

Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless his people with peace!