|
Matthew 21:1-11 NIV
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
|
|
In this world, everyone faces some form of bondage. Employees are under the management of their employers, citizens are under the rule of their leaders, and defeated nations are oppressed by victorious ones. Everyone has to do things they don't want to do, even things that go against their will. In this seemingly free country, there is no longer freedom because people have turned away from God. Everyone longs to break free from their bondage. Some seek freedom by making a lot of money, while others turn to the government, hoping for help from their leaders. This is like snatching food from a tiger's mouth or foolishly feeding the tiger with one's own flesh. The greatest bondage that people face is death, which is brought about by sin. This is a problem that doctors, governments, and money cannot solve. Some accept this reality and avoid thinking about the eternal torment they will face after physical death. They try every means to extend their days on earth and are enslaved by this futile hope.
Do we realize that we are living in bondage? Do we long for true freedom? The Jews under Roman rule were also waiting for the salvation promised by God, hoping to be set free. So when they saw that the Lord Jesus could heal the sick, cast out demons, calm the storms, feed thousands with a few loaves and fishes, and even raise the dead, they believed that the promised Savior had come. Thus, when Jesus rode a donkey's colt into the Holy City during the preparation for the Passover, the Jews welcomed Him like a king, laying their clothes and branches on the road for Him. They shouted "Hosanna," which, though a word of praise, also carried the hope of rescue, as they wanted Jesus to help them break free from Roman oppression. These people placed their hope in political power, so when Jesus was arrested, their disappointment led them to be manipulated by the scribes and chief priests to push Jesus toward the cross. They couldn't accept that the Messiah, their Redeemer, would be a suffering servant. Their hope was built on their mortal flesh.
The Lord Jesus is the true path to freedom for humanity. Jesus said, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). He also said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). To be with God the Father is eternal life, free from the bondage of sin and death. The apostle Paul said that believers, through knowing Jesus, are no longer under the curse of death (Romans 8:1). What Jesus saves is eternal life, saving us from eternal death to eternal life, from separation from God to being with God. Do you want to break free from the bondage of death? Do you know Jesus Christ? The apostle Paul said, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved" (Romans 10:9-10). Let us together receive the true freedom that comes from God!
|