Easter, the way I grew up observing it, was always about celebrating Jesus rising from the dead, proclaiming victory over death and the grave. Of course, there was always the strong focus on His crucifixion as well – an essential part of each of our salvation stories.
Each year, as I learn more and more about this amazing God we serve, I get a little more excited, and emotional, when we spend a few weeks reflecting on His awesome work at the cross, in the grave, and beyond. This year is no exception.
So I was thinking about Jesus’ trip into town on a donkey while I got ready for church on this Sunday that we call “Palm Sunday” in memory of that day.
They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Hosanna in the highest!”And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”
So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Matthew 21:7-11 (NKJV)
I was thinking about this and speculating that many, if not all, of the people must’ve seen this as something like a political rally. Their long awaited deliverer had come to rescue them from Roman rule, to usher in His administration.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely felt that rush of emotion that we sometimes like to call “patriotism” at various political rallies, and sometimes just while standing for the National Anthem. I imagine the people who were lining the streets with branches, welled up with emotion, filled with that same feeling as they cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” envisioning a peaceful future, filled with freedom from oppressive oversight and unjust mandates for their children and their children’s children.
How dark that day must’ve felt when their new leader hung on a cross. That darkness probably continued, even after His rising, when He failed to do anything about the government. How many must’ve been so disappointed in Him. How they must’ve doubted themselves – doubted Him. They must’ve wondered if He wasn’t just a quack. They must’ve wondered if they’d had it all wrong. Maybe they even felt foolish for subscribing to His teaching.
I was thinking about that, and thinking about the disappointments we face in our lives. A hope deferred, making our hearts sick. Times when we felt so sure that God was directing us, only to have a door slammed in our faces. Times when everything falls apart without warning. Times when we’ve doubted our path, doubted His plans, doubted Him.
With this story of Jesus, we have the benefit of a more rounded perspective. We have the “ending”. We have the benefit of knowing and understanding that Jesus didn’t come to overthrow political governments. He didn’t come to set up an earthly administration. We can look at it and say, “Oh, they missed the point. How silly of them!” But in our today, we don’t have the full picture just yet. We may still be struggling with a hope deferred, an ending that we just can’t accept. Maybe we are doubting Him and His goodness. Maybe we are doubting His power. Maybe we are doubting that He is both good and mighty. Could we be missing the point too?
I was also thinking today about the judges that ruled over Israel. How the people would fall into wickedness, and how God would raise up a judge who would lead them into peace and freedom. And I was thinking about how the land would have peace for some odd amount of years before Israel would turn to wickedness again. There never did seem to be a permanent solution.
Jesus was better than a judge. Better than a king. Better than a temporary reprieve from tyranny and enslavement. What Jesus brought was incorruptible, unending, and it could not be stolen or defiled by wars or corrupt politicians.
Jesus brought Peace. A peace to rule in our hearts in the everyday turmoil of life, in the uncertain times, in the corrupted society we encounter today, in the deepest pain of heartbreak, in our grief, in our loss, in the trenches of battle, in the barracks of concentration camps, in sickness, and in death.
And Jesus brought Freedom. Not the physical freedom that was perhaps expected, but a spiritual freedom, and a mental freedom. Freedom from sin and death, freedom from the bondage of fear, freedom from the captivity of the devil, and freedom from our old man – the flesh, that ever fights to hold us down. Freedom to laugh, and sing, in the midst of oppression. Freedom to love our enemies. Freedom to experience joy even while we are hurting.
No government can take these things from us. No situation or circumstance can overrule what Jesus brought. They do not expire. They do not corrupt. Only we sometimes do not allow them their rightful place in our lives.
I’m thinking about all of this. And I’m thinking, I wonder what the full picture will look like for the things I am running up against – these disappointments that get me doubting. I wonder if what God has in store for me isn’t much better than the hopes I hold with such a limited perspective. And you know what? I bet His plan is way better than what I’ve got in my head! It just might take a little more patience and reshaping of my perspective in order to see and appreciate it.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory.
Ephesians 3:20-21a (NKJV)
me this time 