Rejoice!“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9
“Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” Palm branches and cloaks where laid on the ground hailing their King. “Hosannah in the highest!” The cheers rang out for all Jerusalem to hear. The excitement in the air was palpable and felt by almost all who heard and saw Jesus arrive on a donkey. Some came because they heard of the miracles and healings. Others came because they wanted deliverance.
But, not everyone was celebrating. There were those whose blood boiled with anger and hate. How dare he? That upstart is not our king. Our messiah will not be riding on a donkey but on a stallion with a legion of warriors to win our freedom! These men—who should have known the prophecies—were blind and hard-hearted—dominated by greed and power, pride and arrogance. They willingly turned away from God and followed Satan instead.
That was then. Sadly, it is now, too. Many start to follow Jesus like he is Santa Claus, asking for many things—from money to healing—never wanting a relationship, having only surface faith that wants a god made in their own image. These fall away when God doesn’t do what they want. Sadder still are those who deny his existence at all, creating idols out of money, power, and possessions—things made by man. Their anthem: “I Did it My Way,” famously sung by Frank Sinatra.
“And there is salvation in no one else for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
This side of the resurrection we know Jesus entered Jerusalem knowing he would die. He died taking the sins of the entire world with him. But death did not win, nor did sin. Resurrection Sunday also arrived triumphantly. Jesus triumphed over death and sin. Satan did not!
Please allow Jesus Christ a triumphant entry into your lives, your hearts. I did, and my life was transformed from doing it my way, to living each moment in faith and thanksgiving to Jesus Christ the KING of Kings!
“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we proclaim) because if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one is justified and with the mounth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says ‘Everyone who believes in him will not to be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew or Greek for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:8 - 13
by Eve Montano