It was over. Jesus triumphal entry into the holy city of Jerusalem ended like every day.  This man who was thought to be the King of the Jews, the Messiah, the Savior was paraded down a cloak strewn road in front of the masses.  He was just a man.  They waved their palm branches and shouted “Hosanna,” as their King rode by on the back of a lowly donkey.

A beast of burden was His mighty steed.  He was not clothed in glory, nor surrounded by guards and soldiers.  He came to the city to celebrate the Jewish Passover, but he came for more than that.  He knew in advance that His men would find the necessary animals prior to their going into the city.  He knew the precise words they were to use in obtaining them.  He knew the people would hail Him as King of Kings because He was not just a man.  He knew all this, because it had been told by the prophet Zechariah.

The Son of God rode on in victory before the victory was won.  He went through the city streets as His ancestor, David did many years before.  He too was hailed as a king and a conquering hero.

This mighty Jesus could have called down the mountains. He could have provided Himself with a majestic horse and all the trimmings that go along with royalty, but He chose to enter in complete humility.  He was a man, but more than that, He was the Son of the One true God.

I wonder what His thoughts were after that majestic ride through town.  He knew that this week was going to bring His personal suffering, torture and death.  Yet He willingly put His life on the line for us.  It was God’s precious Son who rode on in majesty.  He was the final sacrifice, which would bring communion back between God and man.

The season of self-reflection and repentance is over.  We now can look forward to Jesus victory dance over Satan and sin.  When we witness the cost, the scourge and the cross, the infinite punishment required for our forgiveness, the passion of God for His fallen creatures – we will be victorious too.

This week our focus should be on that willing sacrifice, the lamb without blemish, the Son of God and Mary’s Son, our King and our Messiah.

Let the journey begin.

“My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”  Jesus Christ