Are you glad to see Jesus?

 

As I pondered upon my Palm Sunday’s reading, there seems to be a jubilant atmosphere among the people of Israel on the first day of the week when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (Mark 1:1–11, KJV 1900). The people had waited a long time for the promised Messiah. Since the time of Abraham, they had longed to see their promised King, the Seed promised in the Garden and confirmed to Abraham – the Seed who would conquer their enemies and bless the nations (Genesis 22:17–18, KJV 1900).

But this King did not look as they would have expected.
Kings rode on horses. This King rode on a donkey.
Kings were adorned in royal apparel. This King wore the clothes of a humble peasant.
Kings were accompanied by an entourage of fighting men. This King rode in alone, followed only by a few friends.
Kings had many servants. This King served many.
Kings ruled over the people. This King ministered to the people.
Kings feasted on sumptuous foods prepared for them. This King multiplied fish and loaves to feed others.
Kings wore crowns of gold and precious gems. This King soon wore a crown of thorns.

Kings made loud proclamations and the people were silent. This King was stood silent when the people yelled, “Crucify Him.”

Kings were protected at all costs. This King soon gave His life paying the cost of all sin.

This King was unlike any other king, and yet, when this King rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, He was hailed by the people.

“And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest” (Mark 11:9–10, KJV 1900). The people expected a King and they hailed Jesus as King. They expected the Kingdom of David to be re-established. But that’s not what they got. It was what they wanted, but it was not what they needed.

Jesus had not come to be King of the land. He came to be the King of their hearts. God’s plan was very different than what the people had hoped for. Their desire had been to have a ruler who would overcome Roman oppression. One who would restore them to the dominion of their land and would give them rule over the surrounding nations. That’s the King for whom they had been waiting. And one day, Jesus will come and He will be that King.

One day Israel will receive their full inheritance. But the day in which Jesus rode into Jerusalem was not that day. When Jesus returns, He will come as the King of kings, the Lord of lords and He will rule and reign. When that day comes, Jesus will come in judgment to judge the earth and all who live therein. No one will want to stand before King Jesus on that day unless they are already covered by the blood of the Lamb just as the apostle John said, “Unto [Jesus] who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood...to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:5– 6, KJV 1900).

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on that Sunday afternoon, He began His journey to the cross. The date was Nisan 10 on the Jewish calendar. It was the day in which the lambs were selected for the annual Passover sacrifice. On Nisan 14, Jesus Himself became that sacrifice. Jesus was the perfect Lamb of God, and He became the Passover Lamb, sacrificed for the sins of the world.

Today, I welcome Jesus as the King of my life who reigns over my life + over the life of the church on the face of this earth, and for Him to reign + rule the earth forevermore. And, I praise Jesus for cleansing my suns away so that I may attain His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21, KJV 1900) having Jesus to reign as King in my heart today.

Is Jesus your King in your life reigning in your heart today?

Profile Background:
Shari Abbott, Founder and Executive Director of Reasons for Hope – https://reasonsforhopejesus.com/are-you-glad-to-see-jesus/

Jeremy Koh is a disabled graduate from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore – formerly known as Spastic Children Association (1987–1997). He graduated with Certificates in Microsoft Office Skills & a HR Administrator Graduate (CHRA) under Human Capital Singapore–SGEnable Collaboration of Partnership – HCS HR PowerBank (7th Dec 2021 to 3rd June 2022) | Former Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant |A Connecter in ServeHope Pte Ltd & GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd | A KeyGuard Specialist @(these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch) | an Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017); A Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Stories for LIFE (Affiliated with Youth Corps Singapore, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster) |A PwD Advocate – a representing voice of the Disabled Community to the public today. 

Prayer Response to this featured article:
We worship Jesus as King and welcome you in our lives today, 

(Written by Shari Abbott, Founder and Executive Director of Reasons for Hope – https://reasonsforhopejesus.com/are-you-glad-to-see-jesus/ reflected by Jeremy Koh, 2nd April 2023 – Palm Sunday)