Written by: Carol Rittenhouse
Jesus spent most of his 3-year ministry in Galilee, far north of Jerusalem. While all Jews travelled to Jerusalem each year for the Passover, many Jews lived in towns a distance away and worshipped at local synagogues. It was there in the context of the local religious culture that the Pharisees and Sadducees often challenged Jesus about his teachings and claims to have God’s authority to contradict their own interpretations of Jewish law. On the occasions that Jesus was in Jerusalem, he had also clashed with the Jewish religious leaders there as well. Jesus had made powerful enemies. As Jesus headed toward Jerusalem for the last time, he was aware of what awaited him there.
Jesus lived his life intentionally. He never lost sight of the reason he was sent. As Jesus approached Jerusalem, his understanding of God’s mission was demonstrated through his words and actions that pointed to the climax of God’s salvation story. There were many factors that could have distracted Jesus. Everywhere he went, crowds gathered. His disciples believed he was the Messiah to set up a powerful political kingdom that would liberate the Jews from Roman rule. Even as Jesus told his disciples that he was to suffer and die, they didn’t want to believe it. Still, Jesus knew that the coming week, his death and resurrection – were a part of God’s salvation plan. He would not be deterred.
Jesus knew his disciples would experience a severe test of their faith in the week ahead. One can imagine as Jesus sent the disciples to gather the colt, they believed they were witnessing the arrival of a new earthly kingdom. Even though he knew their understanding was clouded with human ambition, Jesus embraced them in their ignorance. As the week passed, no doubt the disciples began to grasp the error of their thinking. Later as Jesus and his disciples gathered in the upper room for their last meal together, the celebrations of the triumphal entry had given way to fear and hesitation. Jesus instructed them as he washed their feet and broke the bread and blessed the cup. In this moment, Jesus gave them a way to remember his love and the teachings that would give them and all believers eternal life.
We could all be faces in the crowd crying, “Hosanna!” as Jesus entered Jerusalem that day. Perhaps, we have been guilty of seeing Jesus in a way that distorts why he came. Jesus’ life was marked by selfless obedience and focused intentionality on God’s will. He loved people extravagantly, and that love led to his death on the cross. Any version of discipleship that is not rooted in that same obedience and sacrifice is not authentic Christianity. At times we may be preoccupied by the circumstances of life and things of this world. May God help us set aside all that might distract us from being focused on God’s mission: to bring His light and love into a broken world.
