That triumphal entry into Jerusalem

Atheists say He stole a donkey and made some show of it when He entered Jerusalem. The truth of the matter is that Christ rode on a donkey on divine appointment. He had earlier sent His two disciples to ‘go into the village and you shall find a colt that has never been ridden before tied to a tree… loosen it and bring it to me and if anyone asks you where you are taking it to, tell them the Lord needs it.’  And it happened just as Jesus had said. The owner(s) of the colt asked just in the same manner that Jesus had explained and they were allowed to take the colt away. Luke 19: 30 – 40.

It was on a Sunday like this one, Palm Sunday (which simply means the Sunday before Easter) many years ago, when Jesus, saddled on a colt, made that triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The whole city came to a standstill, not with blaring sirens and an intimidating gas guzzling motorcade but through a man who sat on a mere colt. He rode into the city not on any of Africa’s big five (Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino and Leopard) but on a simple colt. He could have used a hippo if he had wanted to. Better still, His pick could have extended to other land mammals like dinosaurs (extinction wasn’t the word then) but He chose this young donkey for this kingly march into the holy city just to illustrate His meekness.

And so the whole Jerusalem was in an uproar! People thronged the streets carrying palm tree branches and spread their clothes throughout the whole route Jesus took. They shouted with great passion, “blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” This hype did not please some Pharisees and they immediately lodged a complaint to Jesus. “Master, rebuke your disciples!” At this Jesus replied, “I tell you if they keep quiet, the stones will immediately cry out.” That’s the gist of the story. As we observe Palm Sunday, we must realise the fact that Jesus wants us to proclaim about His kingdom and indeed spread the gospel.

If you remain quiet, God shall command stones to worship Him, to spread the word. Wait a minute, the stones being alluded to are twofold – literal and figurative ones. He can make real stones shout. Is anything too hard for the Lord? Genesis 18:14. The figurative aspect points to the fact that people who are regarded as outcasts can have a turn around and start worshipping God. Paul of Tarsus was such one ‘stone’ that Jesus later used in spreading the gospel to the utter most parts of the earth.

Similarly, you may not regard yourself as somebody God can use. Big mistake! That’s what all God’s servant are – mere stones turned instruments. Heed the call, reflect and embrace the gospel. The man of sorrow is knocking at your heart’s door. The choice is yours- ignore Him and be damned or show Him in… and receive eternal life. Happy Palm Sunday!