Mark 11:7-10 NIV

“When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!””

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What do we make of this episode in Jesus’ life? Was He excited because it was yet another prophecy coming true? Was it a deliberate act to fulfil prophecy as though He were following a script? What did He think, and feel about the people’s response? Was He happy or skeptical?

Let’s follow the process. 

First, Jesus sent His disciples to fetch the donkey as though it were pre-planned. The donkey was where He said it would be. The bystanders responded as He said they would, asking the question He said they would ask. 

It was as though Jesus were following the scene He saw happening in His mind. How uncanny! History in advance!

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭9‬:‭9‬ ‭

And so, the people rejoiced as the Word predicted! Why did they rejoice? What was their expectation? Let’s look at their words. 

“Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Clearly, the common people thought that this was Yahweh’s moment. Finally, at last, their longings, their hopes and dreams were about to be fulfilled. How they relished the anticipation that their hated oppressors would be supernaturally driven from their land! After all, hadn’t Jesus insisted that He was the Son of God, their longed-for Messiah?Hadn’t He demonstrated His power over disease, demons, and even death? They were convinced that He could get rid of the Romans as well. This was their moment of triumph. Freedom at last!

They sang and danced with abandon because they were fully convinced that miracles were about to happen. They celebrated Jesus as their Deliverer, the Son of David. Their long-awaited king! 

But wait! Why was He moving towards the temple? Why not Pilate’s palace…to give Pilate and his cronies their marching orders and to set up His government over  His own people?

Jesus deliberately turned towards the temple, the seat of His Father’s government. Rome was not the real problem. Rome was an intrusion, an interim plan to prepare the hearts of His people for the real thing…not an external force controlling the people but a new ruler on the throne of their hearts. 

As much as Jesus taught and showed them that the real enemy was inside their own hearts, the less they understood that their captor was sin, not Rome. Yes, He had come to deliver them, but not in the way they expected. 

In His debate with His enemies, He could not have expressed His intention more clearly…

“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭34‬-‭36‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Everything He told them fell on deaf ears. 

So, He followed the script with accuracy because it had to be. He was neither surprised nor alarmed at the unfolding events. He was a purposeful player in God’s story. 

The hollow praise of His people turned to bitter disappointment, and murderous cries as they turned on Him, only a few days later, condemned Him to death, and joined their religious leaders in forcing the hand of Pilate!

Then, just when they thought that they had rid themselves of this imposter, He reappeared… from the tomb, of all things, to do what He said He had come to do!

“This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him…“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” …Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬-‭24‬, ‭36‬, ‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

No, Jesus was not fooled by the people’s hollow praise. This was all part of the divine blueprint. Step by step as it unfolded, He  carefully followed the script, from “Hosanna” to “Crucify”, from glory to Golgotha, from death to life. With the process came the real deliverance, not from Rome but from eternal death for those who believe in Him.