The Fourth of July

I enjoy summer! The warm weather, family picnics, vacations, baseball games, the list of things to enjoy can go on and on. One of my favorite activities of the summer is just around the corner. The Forth of July with its family fun, fireworks and is a great celebration of our freedom. But could you imagine having such a festive holiday if we as Americans were still under the authority of England and the British king?

That’s kind of what happened when Jesus entered into Jerusalem on what we traditionally call Palm Sunday. The people made it into a big parade. Jesus was escorted into the city with palm branches waving; the palm was an ancient symbol of the Jewish nation. Can you picture a day like that in your mind?

• [9] Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!"
  "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
  [10] "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"
  "Hosanna in the highest!"
  Mark 11:9-10 (NIV)

Let’s face it these people were ready to make Jesus their king right under the noses of the hated Romans. “Hosanna” literally means “Save now.” This was not a request for Jesus to save them spiritually; they wanted Him to throw out the Romans and establish once again the great kingdom of Israel, the kingdom of their ancient King David. This was a political movement, not a religious celebration. It would be like a group of people marching down Main Street waving a confederate flag chanting, “The South will rise again” (or worse if they waved a Nazi flag and were yelling anti-American slogans).

If Jesus had come to establish an earthy kingdom this was the time to do it. The people were on His side; I believe there were people there ready to fight for their freedom from the Romans if Jesus would just give the word. Talk about facing temptation to fame and power; Jesus had the chance to be made king.

I’m glad Jesus remembered that He was already THE KING. Not a king over a piece of real estate regardless of how large it may be. Jesus was and is the King of Heaven. He had come not to establish an earthly kingdom, but the Kingdom of God among men. The only way this could be possible was for the King to die a terrible death. Everything was now in place; before the week was out the same crowd of people would call for Jesus to be crucified. Fickle huh? Funny how when things don’t turn out the way we want we look elsewhere.

Are you aware of His Kingdom and His authority over your life? Are you willing to submit to His rule even when things don’t turn out the way you like? The cry for salvation was answered in an unexpected way. What do you think?