Jesus, the King of Kings, offers us tangible, eternal, life-changing hope.
Jesus is a king. The Bible calls him the “King of Kings.” On that first Palm Sunday as he entered Jerusalem, the crowds met him and shouted their praises out loud. “Hosanna! Blessed is the King!” His teachings were gripping, his miracles were astounding, his love and compassion were so vivid, and he offered hope; tangible, eternal, change-your-life kind of hope. He was a crowd favorite on that day.
On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, "Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord." John 12:12-13
“Hosanna! Blessed is the King,” they shouted. Yet Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Not the customary mode of transport for a king. But Jesus, the Servant King, did not come to set up an earthly kingdom. “My kingdom is not of this world,” Jesus would tell Pilate later on that week.
Jesus said that he came “to minister and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). He promised life, victory over death, and friendship with God. Delivering on those promises would cost him dearly, and he knew it. A short time before that first Palm Sunday, he let his disciples know exactly what was in store for him: he would be mocked, whipped, spit on and killed. But Jesus would not be deterred.
Prayer
Are you ready to reach out to God? Here's a simple prayer for today.
Dear Father, Thank you for Jesus. Thank you that Jesus came to offer me life and hope and friendship with you. Thank you that Jesus was willing to endure such great suffering on my behalf. Please guide me this week as I reflect on the meaning of Easter. I am grateful for what Jesus did as a servant. Now help me understand what it means to embrace him as my friend, my savior and my King. Amen
Read the story for yourself Dig into God's word; He reveals Himself to us through the Bible. The story of Jesus entering into Bethany can be found in the New Testament book of John. The story is foretold in the Old Testament too, in Zechariah 9:9.
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