Our Gentle Savior

This morning we observed Palm Sunday by considering the “Triumphal Entry” of Jesus, where He entered Jerusalem surrounded by excited onlookers, hailing Him as King. It was a sort of royal coronation as, in that moment, the people recognized His right to the throne of Israel. They shouted out with great enthusiams, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD; Hosanna in the highest!” (21:9). One of the remarkable things about this event was its display of divine gentleness. In unique and stunning fashion, and in fulfillment of prophecy (cf. Zech 9:9), Jesus rode into town on that day “gentle, and mounted on a donkey” (21:5). The same Christ who created all things and who sustains all things and who had recently demonstrated His divine power through many miracles, even raising one man from the dead (cf. John 11), chose the most lowly and humble way to show Himself that day. In a world full of people impressed with feats of strength, Jesus demonstrated astounding gentleness. Surrounded by people naturally obsessed with making themselves a big deal, Jesus made Himself a small deal. And, in a moment of divinely granted clarity, some people in the crowd recognized that humility as glorious and as a sign of true royalty. Thus, they hailed Him as their King. Meanwhile, the Pharisees who were outraged by the whole thing, implored Jesus, “Rebuke your disciples.” To which He responded, “If these become silent, the stones will cry out!” (Luke 19:39-40).