Not everyone in the crowd knew Him. They didn’t know the reason for multitudes of praising people. They didn’t realize a Savior was in their midst. They didn’t know about prophecy. They didn’t know about Him, only that He was riding on a donkey colt and people were going crazy trying to get near him, even throwing their cloaks that were their protection, on the ground for the colt to walk on.
They didn’t know what He would do for them in the hours ahead in this very city. They didn’t know the crowd’s praise would soon turn to ugly jeering.
They didn’t know who He was or what He could do in their lives. They just didn’t know.
Matthew 21
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
WHAT SOME KNEW…
The crowds who spread out branches and their own cloaks knew him only as a prophet who could heal people of all kinds of ailments. Jesus became popular for what He could do. They knew He was from lowly Nazareth. They knew He could make the lame walk and the blind to see. But they didn’t know Him as Savior. Not yet.The religious elite, the scribes and Pharisees were angry by the crowd’s enthusiasm and knew they had to act on their threats to destroy Him. They did not know or accept Him as Messiah. The had to turn the cheering crowds against Him and they needed to act fast.
There were many bystanders who watched and didn’t have a clue.
TODAY
Many bystanders have never heard of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord. They don’t know the Bible stories about Him The enemy has worked overtime to make sure people do not know about Jesus, his arch enemy. Satan does not want people to know Jesus is God’s Son who can save them from hell. WHO will tell them what they don’t know? Will it be a noisy crowd of worshipers or the life of someone who loves Jesus with all that is in them and lives for Jesus. These people know they are not perfect but are perfectly forgiven and eternally grateful. They live humbly serving those around them without a thought to their own wants and desires. They put God first, then others. They love God. They love others no matter who they are and where they live. They speak of Jesus like He is their best friend as well as their Savior and Lord. They are people who don’t force Him on you but live compassionately in front of you. These people always point you to Jesus, not themselves, helping you find and follow Him, too.
These are the people who know Him. People who know Him tell others who do not know Him.
HOLY PAUSEAm I one of those people in the know and tells others who do not know?
“When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?'”
Is our city stirred by Jesus? Are people asking who He is?
Are we ready to tell them?
Dear Heavenly Father,
We can never trust a fickle crowd who pushes people around to their way of thinking. We can always trust you for the Way, the Truth and Life forever with You. Help us to tell the Truth of Jesus to those who don’t know Him yet. And may we think, say and do all…In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 