Beyond the Hype
Introduction
Every day we turn on the news and there is another security threat from terrorists that roam the world seeking to maim, destroy, and kill. If we look back about twenty centuries we see another perceived security threat – Jesus Christ. He was about to enter Jerusalem as the King Of the Jews and the government, Saducces, and Pharisees saw Him as a threat to their own power and control. The Roman Guard was called in to maintain control.
It happened near the end of Jesus’ 1,000 day ministry. He had taught, healed, performed miracles, lived an exemplary life before His disciples, and now it was coming to a climax. This event with the high security risk is usually called the triumphal entry, and it marks the beginning of the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. It began near Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the city across the Kidron Valley. Nearby were places that would later be filled with the drama of Jesus’ final week. There was The Garden Of Gethsemane where Jesus will agonize in prayer and where they will arrest Him. There was The Antonia Fortress where they will mock Him, beat Him, and put the crown of thorns on His head. There was Golgotha, Calvary, just outside the city gate where they will crucify Him. And there was a tomb, from which He will walk out, alive. But a week before all that, Jesus went through the experience of the triumphal entry.
About to begin His entry from the vantage point of the Mount of Olives, Jesus looked over the whole of the beautiful city of Jerusalem. Prophetically He looked into the heart of the city and saw the externalism of its religous life and it broke His heart.
The story raises for us an important issue today. Will we follow jesus no matter what? Will we be able to look beyond the hype that often accompanies religiosity to where we find the real person of Jesus? And will He be enough for us?
Everyone Is At Risk
In this ancient security situation, anyone could have been a terrorist or troublemaker so everyone was being watched by someone. Everyone was at risk, just as today in our spiritual lives, we are all at risk of destruction from the enemy of our souls. We never know exactly where the attack may come from. As we discussed in the previous lesson, attacks and temptations may be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. An attack can come from within or without, from the world, the flesh, or the devil. We have to be constantly on guard. Let’s see how the people handled it in that day.
The triumphal entry took place during one of the busiest weeks of the year – Passover. Back in that day the Romans who ruled Israel knew that all the crowds traveling into the city meant the possibility of unrest. Imagine that – unrest in the Middle East. Nothing new here. The Romans prepared by sending in the Praetorian Guard, stationing them at the Antonia Fortress. The fortress was built by Herod just behind the temple, in honor of his dear friend Antony, of the famous Roman duo Antony and Cleopatra. Today in Jerusalem you can see part of this fortress. Excavated on a lower level is the original courtyard of the Antonia Fortress where Jesus would later be beaten and mocked, spit upon and crowned with thorns. Hundreds of guards milled around just to maintain order. Passover was always a testy time in the city. Emotions ran high, and the hype was fuelled by mob mentality. At the very least officials expected a few riot situations.
During Passover week, religious leaders opened the doors of the temple. When Messiah came, descending from the Mount of Olives as they knew He was predicted to do, from the east toward the temple, the open doors symbolized that He was welcome.
But there were a couple of problems. One was that the religious establishment of the day did not really believe that Messiah would come that week or any time. Most didn’t believe in a personal Messiah at all. Some who did had probably grown jaded because the nation had been waiting so long for Messiah and He hadn’t shown up yet. But the leaders were all going through the motions of acting like they believed in Him and welcomed Him. They had all the symbols. They had all the right moves. The story is beginning to sound familiar isn’t it? Maybe you sense at times that description applies to you. Possibly you have been going through the motions; perhaps you know how to speak Christianese but God is not real to you. Stick with the story. There is a way out of that false world.
A second problem in that day was that opening the temple doors to welcome Messiah also provided opportunity for insurrectionists or false prophets to come and claim they were Messiah. They could gather a group of followers on the Mount Of Olives, march down through the Kidron Valley, and come into the temple to try to overthrow Rome and establish their own rule. If it happened this particular Passover day, it would not be the first time someone had tried it. That is why the Praetorium Guards were ready. They would quell any riot, any insurrection, any hyped-up Messiah figure.
So into this tense political hotbed, Jesus made a significant move, His entry into the city, His presentation of Himself as Messiah, turned out to be a decision point for a lot of people. They had to face the question, “Will I follow Jesus no matter what?”. It may sound like a familiar question because it is one we all have to face too.
Everybody Has Somebody For A King
And so the ride into Jerusalem begins. Jesus is riding a colt. People are throwing coats down in front of Him and waving palm branches to honor Him and calling Him heir king. Messiah has arrived.
The Triumphal Entry
Joh 12:12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
Joh 12:13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Joh 12:14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
Joh 12:15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.
Joh 12:16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
Joh 12:17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
Joh 12:18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
Joh 12:19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
Real Worship Or Individual Agendas
As Jesus rode along He had a full view of the temple mount. Today there is a mosque on that spot, but the temple stood there in His day. Jesus could ride through the eastern gates of the city and right into the temple courts. The people were so excited that He might actually do that, they risked their lives to shout His name, along with other taboos like Hosanna, blessed, and the king of Israel.
But a big problem emerged. Clearly the crowd was hoping this man on the donkey would give them a political and military victory, saving them from political oppression and the social and economic problems they were facing. The big problem is that they were not facing their spiritual needs. which was the main focus of His coming. There was a big disconnect between their expectations and Jesus’ plan.
Being Real With God
The first triumphal entry of Jesus ended at the cross. Jesus did what He came to do. A few days later the praising crowd turned ugly and demanded His crucifixion. The good new is that Jesus is coming again. Today the questions for us are simple but searching:
1. When Jesus looks at me are there tears in His eyes? Do I know how to worship Him in spirit and truth?
2. When Jesus looks at me is He weeping over me? Can we get beyond all the worldly cares and woes and build a close personal relationship with Him?
3. When Jesus looks at me is he seeing a modern-day Pharisee? Am I telling Him I will not have Him rule over me?
4. When Jesus looks at me does He see a person focused on the wrong things? Am I occupied with social revolution, political solutions, economic ideas, psychological methods, or material things instead of resting my hopes in true spiritual deliverance?
5. When Jesus looks at me does He see a person locked in fear? Can I face the risks and pledge that I will follow Jesus no matter what?
6. Maybe Jesus looks at me and sees a little of all these persons. We need to ask Him to help us identify our needs and claim the solutions that come from His heart. May His weeping over us turn to tears of joy.