During the time of Jesus, and for a hundred years before, there was a rebel movement of Jews against the Romans. They became known as Zealots. These rebels studied Torah by day, and murdered Romans and unfaithful Jews by night. They were "helping God" bring about His kingdom by trying to cleanse the land. This movement of Zealots had a war cry - "hosannah" - God save us. They also had two symbols - the menorah and the palm branch. Riots and rebellion were so common in that day that it became a crucifiable offense to wave a palm branch in Jerusalem during a holiday. The Jews were waiting for their king to come, their Messiah, and be a conquering King. They were eagerly anticipating His coming to rid the land of the Romans.
On that one Sunday, Jesus came to Bethphage on the Mt. of Olives, literally the edge of Jerusalem. He procured a donkey, essentially announcing who He was by doing so (see Zechariah 9), and began His way into the city. Once on the donkey, the crowd erupted. The Messiah was here! They began waving palm branches ...and shouting... 'hosannah"....
...how "triumphant"...
...And Jesus began to weep. Actually, He began to sob. They missed it! They missed what He came to do. He wasn't a zealot who was going to rid the land of Romans and become king. He came to suffer and die - for them. For us. And it broke His heart. It was lamb selection day. The picture literally screams out, "pick me! Let me be your LAMB. I'm the one that the picture is about. I am the one who came to exchange My life for yours. This is why I came - to die."
On this lamb selection day, I ponder the many "messiahs" that I've wanted Jesus to be for me. How often have I broken His heart because I missed what He was doing and who He really was? And I ask forgiveness for trying to make Him into something that I think I want or need. I pick Jesus! In all His humility and suffering. This is the King I choose. As the song says, "Amazing love, how can it be, that You, my King, should die for me."
I know He will come again someday as the reigning King. In fact, He reigns already. But today, I choose the lamb that suffered and died - for me. What lamb do you choose??
2 Responses