Palm Sunday: The King meek and humble of heart
April 13, 2014 | XXXI.
Grace: To wonder at Jesus entrance into His kingly glory, that is His suffering, for me.
Text for Prayer: Lk. 19:28-44
Reflection: Today, Palm Sunday, begins in earnest our celebration of Jesus’ Passion. Jesus sets Himself with unshakeable determination toward Jerusalem, toward the ultimate purpose of His coming to earth.
Even though Jesus knows what awaits Him this week, the people of Jerusalem still do not understand. They acclaim Him as the king who will set them free, but Jesus is not the kind of Messiah they imagine. Rather, He is the meek and suffering King of Mercy who enters Jerusalem on a donkey and assumes His throne upon the Cross. All of this He does willingly, for me.
Jesus weeps over Jerusalem because she does not recognize her Savior, Who has come in a guise she least expected – come to save her from her sins, not Roman occupation. They remain blind to Jesus’ mission, yet He goes willingly and full of love to die for each of them.
We have been seeking to more closely love and follow our King, Jesus, these weeks of Lent. Today the crowd acclaims Him as King; all of creation cries out, even the stones, because Jesus is indeed the King. Yet, today Jesus begins the most earnest revelation of His Kingship that will continue throughout Holy Week. Jesus is the meek and humble King of Mercy who comes to free His people from their sins. He rides a donkey, not a horse. He takes the sufferings and concerns of others willingly upon Himself. This is the King Whom we follow and serve.
Questions: Imagining the scene, how am I moved to acclaim Jesus? By what name would I call Him? How can I better recognize Jesus when He comes to me in ways that surprise me? In what way can I enter into Jesus’ mission with Him today, by humbling myself and serving the needs of others?