“How bad is it?”  “Is it fixable?”  “Can we rebuild or is it a total loss?”  “What can be salvaged?” These are some of many questions in the minds of those who go through the aftermath of a tornado or hurricane.  People involved automatically and tearfully evaluate while seeing the damage done.  Assessing and evaluating is the highest priority for those who own the property and have suffered great loss.  Yes, insurance, officers of the law, property owners and loved ones who want to help, come to take it all in before forming a plan to save what has been destroyed.

Jesus fulfills Holy Scriptures, written centuries earlier by God’s prophets, as he rides in on a young, never ridden, colt to Jerusalem.  God already has a plan to save what has been destroyed over the years—a relationship with Him. 

Mark 11, The Message

Entering Jerusalem on a Colt

^1-3 When they were nearing Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany on Mount Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never yet been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘The Master needs him, and will return him right away.’”

^4-7 They went and found a colt tied to a door at the street corner and untied it. Some of those standing there said, “What are you doing untying that colt?” The disciples replied exactly as Jesus had instructed them, and the people let them alone. They brought the colt to Jesus, spread their coats on it, and he mounted.

^8-10 The people gave him a wonderful welcome, some throwing their coats on the street, others spreading out rushes they had cut in the fields. Running ahead and following after, they were calling out,

Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!
Blessed the coming kingdom of our father David!
Hosanna in highest heaven!

¹¹ He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

After the storm of praises from the multitudes of people, Jesus entered the Temple to survey and assess, “to take it all in”.  He looked around to see what the religious, power-seeking leaders and teachers of The Law had allowed to happen over the years in the Temple dedicated to God. His Temple was more like a carnival than a place of prayer.  (More on this, tomorrow.)

What is happening at the time Jesus rode into Jerusalem?  Jerusalem at Passover season was the delight of the Jews and the despair of the Romans. Thousands of devout Jews from all over the world arrived in the Holy City, their hearts filled with excitement and nationalistic fervor. To say the city of crowded was an understatement! 

The population of Jerusalem more than tripled during the festival, making it necessary for the Roman military units to be on special alert. They lived with the possibility that some enthusiastic Jewish Zealot might try to kill a Roman official or incite a riot, and there was always potential for disputes among the various Jewish religious groups. The city was tense on all levels.

Because of the celebration of Passover, the Temple was the place to go for those who have made the journey. But they must deal with the less than noble “carnival types” selling what the people needed for their sacrifices at a higher cost than normal!  This is what Jesus is “taking in” on His first stop to the Temple.  How it must have grieved the Master! 

God’s Plan of Salvation

In fulfilling the words of Psalm 118:25, 26, Jesus accomplished two purposes:

(1) He declared Himself to be Israel’s King and Messiah

(2) He deliberately challenged the religious leaders.

This set in motion the official plot that led to His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. The Jewish leaders had decided not to arrest Him during the feast, but God had determined otherwise. The Lamb of God, the One and Only without sin, must die at Passover.

Jesus will be the final sacrifice for our sins.  He will trade His life for ours. 

Our Hope—Our Victory!

“Our Lord’s “triumphal entry” was nothing like that of a Roman triumphal entry, but it was a triumph just the same. He was God’s anointed King and Savior, but His conquest would be spiritual and not military. A Roman general had to kill at least five thousand enemy soldiers to merit a Triumph, but in a few weeks, the gospel would “conquer” some five thousand Jews and transform their lives (Acts 4:4). Christ’s “triumph” would be the victory of love over hatred, truth over error, and life over death.” –Warren Wiersbe, Bible Commentator

O what a Savior
O what a mighty God
No one is greater
To save our souls!

There is more to come as many of you know, but for now, stop, pause to reflect, and ask

If Jesus rode into my life today, what would He see and take in?

Does Jesus need to clean my house—His Temple—in which I have invited Him to dwell? 

What have I allowed to be a part of and in His Temple—My being—that is offensive to God?

Lord,

We pray the prayer of David when he realized what He had done that was not of you:

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:10-12

Yes, Jesus, assess the damage, restore what was broken.  Cleanse my heart, renew my thinking, refresh and reset my soul, and restore the joy of your salvation at work daily within me. Thank you for saving our souls! 

To you be the glory!  To you be the praise!  To you be the glory!

In Jesus Name, Amen