This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' " Matthew 21: 4-5
Today is Palm Sunday. The day that we celebrate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. People would crowd to see him. They would throw their coats before him. They would throw palm branches on the path in front of the king. The King of Kings riding into town on a donkey. They pushed to see him. Screaming "Hosanna in the highest!" It is a magnificent picture in my mind. The "parade" feeling. You know, the anticipation of seeing the float. You crane your neck to see it all. To take in the entire picture from top to bottom. From left to right. You look for any words to read or colors to see that might be out of the ordinary. You "drink" it all in. Your five senses are alive. Sight. Sound. Smell. Touch. You might even lick your lips and remember the taste of the salt from the sweat. Who knows? You tingle from everything around you.
I have a confession to make. As a person who has been a Christian for a long time, I tend to gloss over Palm Sunday. The sweet before the sour. I want to focus on the PASSION of the next week. The tremendous, glorious self-sacrificing act that my savior gave when he died on that cross and then rose three days later. To me, this day is nothing but a tale told to children to help ring in the Holy Week and make it more understandable to them. I have "seen" the end of the story and I have glossed past this chapter. When did I stop looking for the donkey?
Why did Jesus ride into town? Oh, I know all the stories, theories and have heard many Palm Sunday messages about it. I know it was the turning point. The crowd who one moment was singing praises and the next was crying "CRUCIFY HIM!" The betrayal! But when did I stop looking for the donkey?
"Your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey" My king comes to me...gentle and riding on a donkey, and I...I want to get on with the gruesome slaying on the cross! Move over Palm Sunday...there is something better waiting, right? "Your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey" When did I stop looking for the donkey?
I am such an impatient person! Sometimes reading the last chapter doesn't always makes you more patient. I want to stop. I want to crane my head and look. Listen. Feel. Touch. Taste. I want to know my king. The king that comes to me gently on a donkey. I want my five senses to come alive. Alive in a king that isn't impatient! Today I am looking for the donkey!
