Thursday, March 20, 2008 - Beautiful Savior

The sermon last Sunday was super enlightening.  A visiting speaker from Argentina spoke about the significance of Palm Sunday; Christ entering Jerusalem on a donkey. 

He compared the crowd, the destination, the followers, and the choice of mount with what may have been common to the times; a Roman general victorious after battle.

This is the mental picture etched in my mind:

A Roman conqueror on parade would have entered the city triumphantly on his illustrious war-horse.  He would have been surrounded by his gallant commrades decorated by their spoils won in battle, trailed by the humiliated prisoners of war.  The crowd would gather, and on occasions such as these, many a person wishing to advance himself would probably be vying for the best position in order to be seen and recognized.  Ambition and pride would have been the fuel for such a time of great festivity.  The conqueror's destination was fame and glory as well as an elevated position in society and with the council or existing government.

On the other hand, we have Jesus of Nazareth, Messiah, Son of God.  He chose a donkey as his mount.  His following was that of simple people - the uneducated disciples, the poor, the sick and the hungry.  Those who waited for him inside the city were people who hated him.  His destination was humiliation, torture and death on a cross.

Who is this Jesus? 

It is His humility that makes Him beautiful.  He whose name is above any other name, the King of kings, calls us and says, "Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  The one so deserving of our devotion, waits for us to wear ourselves out searching and trying.  He doesn't demand our attention, He wins it with his gentleness.  This meekness belies great strength.  He hasn't anything to prove, it has already been proven.  It isn't based on our performance, it's based on his.  He calls those who are tired of trying and He offers us rest. 

He has triumphed and is victorious. 

He is deserving of all power, honor, wisdom and strength.

I am my Beloved's and He is mine.