Two disciples, eyes full of questions,
brought him the donkey and her child,
gave him a hand, and he sat on the colt
(never ridden before) and began trotting
towards Jerusalem, the City of God,
its King displaying humility.
He breathed in deeply, then exhaled,
moving toward his finish line
where the last scenes of his incarnation
would play out in horror.
The crowds were dense by the city gates,
come to celebrate this great Feast
when the Passover lamb would again be killed,
memory of rescue from their chains.
Those who loved him felt portents
swirling: Why a donkey? Why a parade?
Some, inspired, took off their cloaks
and spread them on the path ahead
to be clopped on by donkey hooves.
Palm fronds waved in joyous arms,
some thrown down, a carpet, too.
People now began to chant
songs drawn from prophetic Word:
Here comes the King in David’s line!
Praise him, envoy of I AM
who just raised Lazarus from his tomb!
Praise him in the highest heavens,
praise the one who brings us peace!
His heart was heavy as he rode.
The crowd was happy now, but knew
just half the story, hoping this
would be the day when all would change.
Yes, their king was riding in!
But they had no idea he
would be the final sacrifice,
Passover lamb for all the world,
that this was God in human flesh,
come to be killed by their own hands
when it would suddenly become clear
that his goal didn’t match their dream
of earthly freedom, battles won.
They would shout a different song,
disillusioned, blind, distraught.
He knew this, but he moved ahead,
bracing for insult and pain,
suffering to fulfill God’s plan.
“Hosanna!” was the people’s cry,
“come save us!” If only they had known
that rescue was indeed his goal!
There were a few who saw his grief.
They’d heard him speak of gruesome death
and stored that deep inside their hearts,
questions roiling in their minds.
Now, we know. We celebrate
the slaughtered Lamb, Messiah, Lord,
the Most High King, our Rescuer!
He let us kill him, knowing that
he would transform malign intent
into a gift of freedom—Home!
If one thinks it clearly through
and realizes who it was
who rode the donkey through the songs
and palm parade, to face the cross
and hang to die, to bring us peace.
This week is one for contemplating the Lamb of God, sent to be our “once-for-all” sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10) Those of us who did not celebrate Passover like the Jews did in their ancient history can miss the powerful symbolism. The metaphor began when Yahweh liberated his people from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:4-14). The lamb’s blood on their doorpost protected them from death; those without that proof of a lamb sacrifice died. It was a strong message that was to be remembered every year at the Passover feast.
Then Jesus came. He fulfilled so many prophecies that week as Passover approached. This slaughter of an innocent lamb, which could not have any blemish, is the one that captures my heart this year. If I had had to kill a lamb each year at Passover it would have broken my heart. Lambs are so cute, so beautiful and helpless. Jesus knew that he had been sent to be the final lamb sacrifice, the one that would bring true protection from death—eternal death—to those who would accept his own blood as their salvation. He gave himself to offer them that.
It was, of course, not only rescue from death but also the promise of life forever with him. That we will celebrate next Sunday. This week as we move towards the remembrance of his death on the cross, may his humble obedience to God’s plan flood us with gratitude. He knew what was coming: emotional, spiritual and bodily suffering of incredible magnitude. But he got on that donkey’s colt and entered the city, willing to fulfill the requirement out of love for us, eyes on the ultimate goal. He did come to save us. Let’s be deeply moved with thanksgiving:
. . . fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:2 NAU)
For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival (1 Cor. 5:7b-8a ESV)
*Photo credit Kat Smith
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