The Edomites,
remember, are the descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother. He was the one whose birthright and blessing
were stolen. The Lord, however, was the
one who had given these to Jacob. This
old rivalry seems to have festered for generations. They refuse to allow the descendants of
Jacob, the Israelites, to pass through their territory and come out with armies
against them. After this, Aaron too
dies, Moses now remains the only member of his family still living, now alone
as leader of the people. It is interesting
that Aaron’s punishment, not being allowed to enter the Land, is based on that
same day at Meribah as Moses rather than for the episode of the golden
calf.
As Jesus
comes into the city it is clear that the people are waiting this arrival. All the disciple has to say is that the Lord
needs the donkey and its colt and it will be given. The people’s proclamation is Hosanna, Lord
save us, and the name Jesus means the Lord saves. The time has surely come for that salvation,
for Jesus to take the throne of His father David, but, lurking in the
background are the Pharisees, the religious elite, who don’t want saving and
who ask who this is. Surely they knew
who it was. Jesus’ entry is fulfillment
of the prophecy of Zechariah and coming into town on a donkey was a declaration
that He came in peace not war. Would
they receive Him in peace?
While the
law may have caused sin to abound and therefore grace, forgiveness through the
sacrificial system of the law, abounded as well, that isn’t the point. We know that indeed grace abounds but that is
not license to sin in order to see more of grace. Baptism is to be a burial of that sinful self
to rise in new life in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are to be a
new creation in Christ, living now in the kingdom. The Spirit is given to lead us to
righteousness. We are to be dead to sin
and alive to Christ. We have already
entered the Promised Land if we are in Jesus, let our lives now reveal the
contours of life in the kingdom of God, seeking first the kingdom and His
righteousness in thanksgiving for the grace we have received, allowing His
perfect love to cast out fear and living in freedom.
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