It is fascinating to think about how the crowd revered Jesus at the beginning of the week but reviled Him at the end. Keep in mind, this is before the invention of Facebook and Twitter where we get worked up in a new frenzy every week. So the up and down of the crowd is remarkable. Consider the following...
While crowds often found Jesus, how often were they able to plan for leaving a palm branch carpet ahead of Him? We should keep in mind that Jesus wasn't winning every poll. There were times when people tried to push Jesus off a cliff (Luke 4:29). There were plenty of crowds who begged Him to leave their town (Matthew 8:34). And don't get me started on the people who tried to stone Him (John 8:59).
So many people questioned who He was that Jesus made it a teachable moment with His disciples (Matthew 16:13-17). Now, all of the sudden, they are hailing Him as King? As Messiah?
It sounds like someone had a worship service where someone made an impassioned plea for action. Whatever it was, this was a high for Jesus.
So, what happened?
What happened in just 5 short days that the crowds were willing to call for His blood (Matthew 27:22)? What did Jesus do to turn so many against Him in just one business week? Did He all of the sudden reveal what He was really about? Did He pull back the proverbial curtain? All of the Gospels point to Him as saying and doing the same things He had been doing for 3 years. He remained steady, always seeing and moving towards the goal.
So, what changed?
Rather, who changed? When we look at Easter and the week up to it, we can see how Jesus stayed the same. God has a way of doing that, being the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). So whatever was going on politically effected us. Whatever was being done to emotions was being done to our emotions. Whatever changed was on our part, not His.
So, as you sing this weekend and give praise to God, consider the week ahead and ask yourself, what will you do with Jesus who is the Christ?
Comments