Jesus: Man of Contrasts

The seven-day period from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, for centuries has been the Christian ‘Holy Week.’  While the traditions added over the centuries were full of symbolism, the allegory included in the palms, processions, prayers, pageantry and programs all point to the stark reality of the coming of Jesus.

The coming of Jesus into Jerusalem on what we now know as ‘Palm Sunday’ is one of the unique events recorded in all four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  The reason is because it is a pivotal event that clearly illustrated the Jesus was the fulfillment of the prophecies of the coming King and Messiah.   For three years, Jesus had been preaching, teaching and healing throughout Judea and into Samaria.  Many had come to believe that he was the Messiah however just as many had their doubts.  

The prophecies in the scriptures are much more clearly understood in hindsight.   Jesus rode into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday on a donkey.   A donkey is mentioned in Zechariah 9:9 as the means by which the coming King of Zion comes into Jerusalem.

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

    Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you;

    righteous and having salvation is he,

humble and mounted on a donkey,

    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

                        (Zechariah 9:9)

It’s interesting to note that this king comes humbly and on a donkey rather than a horse, a mighty steed.  Most Bible commentators note two important reasons why Jesus rode in on a donkey.  First, a king or ruler coming in peace would often be depicted as riding a donkey.   This was a sign of humility and is used in sacred scripture not only in this passage in Zechariah but also in Genesis 49:10-11 also in reference to the coming King of Judah and in regard to Deborah in Judges 5:10 and King David in 1 Kings 1:38-40

This Jesus however was a mystery to many, a man of contrasts.   Jesus had been hailed as a miracle worker and great teacher and rabbi but now is being hailed as a king.  The streets of Jerusalem seem to be open to receiving a King.   The disciples and others that had met and knew Jesus had been told to be quiet about Him but now are almost encouraged to join in with the crowd to acknowledge Jesus as both Messiah and King.

As I mentioned however, the scriptures are much more clearly understood in hindsight.   Many of the people and undoubtedly the Pharisees and Sadducees knew the next verse in Zechariah.

I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim

    and the war horse from Jerusalem;

and the battle bow shall be cut off,

    and he shall speak peace to the nations;

his rule shall be from sea to sea,

    and from the River to the ends of the earth.

       (Zechariah 9:10)

This Jesus to the Jews would be the ruler that would break the chains of the Romans but in contrast Jesus had come to break the chains of sin.    The people of Jerusalem were looking for an earthly ruler but Jesus had come to rule in the hearts and minds of his followers.    The people flock to Jesus putting down palm branches and their cloaks to receive a King who they hope would lead a revolt against the Roman occupiers and restore the kingdom of Israel.   When Jesus was arrested later in the week, these same people would turn against him and cry out, “crucify him”

So secondly, this Jesus, this man of contrasts, will fulfill the 10th verse of Zechariah.   Jesus we now know will come again in glory. When he comes "every eye will see Him."   He will be clothed in a robe, dipped in blood and the armies of heaven will be with Him (Rev. 19:110-16) No one knew there would be this 2,000 year pause between verses nine and ten.   Daniels seventieth week is still to be fulfilled; all of the prophecies of the coming King and the Messianic rule over all of the nations will be fulfilled.

Today, we continue to wait for the coming of the Messiah.  For those of us that are waiting, it is known as the ‘blessed hope’.   Paul writes to Titus regarding this coming, while we wait for the blessed hope--the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Palm Sunday, the beginning of the triumphal reign of Jesus Christ.  Now after 2,000 years, even closer to the ultimate fulfillment of the Kingdom of God.

Belief in the Resurrection

"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together
with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall
we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

Most people in America believe in heaven.  A recent study by Ligonier ministries that was reported by my friend, Bob Smietana and LifeWay research stated that in a survey of 3,000 Americans, 67% agreed that Heaven is a real place. 

If a similar survey had been taken in the first few centuries of the church the questions would have been worded a little differently.  Most scholars agree that the early church clearly was anticipating both the physical return of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of the saints.  These two events in the eyes of these early Christians were not only closely linked but also likely at any moment.

The writings of the Apostle Paul, the Revelation of Jesus Christ written by St. John and the gospel accounts include much detail on the resurrection including the order of the resurrection and the events preceding it.

Based on the teachings we find in the New Testament on the resurrection, it is apparent that the early church did not spend much time contemplating the intermediate state of ‘heaven’ but were waiting for the return of Christ and the resurrection.   Like the Apostles, most early Christians expected that Jesus would return soon and the hope was that the departed saints would be resurrected.

The Apostle Paul addresses this issue in his letter to the Thessalonians 4:14-16

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Of the two Jewish religious groups at the time of Jesus, the Sadducees, who were the powerful ruling party, did not believe in the resurrection and tried to trip Jesus up in their question about the seven brothers. Jesus not only showed them how they were wrong but also gave some information on how in the resurrection people would neither marry or be given in marriage but be like the angels. (Mark 12:18-27). 

Like the early Christians, we need to again embrace the wealth of scriptural teachings on the resurrection.  This is the true hope of the believer.  While Christians have been waiting for almost 2,000 years for the return of Jesus, we are closer today than ever before. Many look at the events in Jerusalem and around the world including signs in the sky as an indication that the time is near.  For the believer, the promise of Jesus that he was going to return should be more than sufficient.

I believe that the teaching of the resurrection was emphasized in the early church to clearly show the victory that Christ had over the finality of death in His resurrection.  If Jesus was just “heaven-bound” it would be not much different than the testimony we give about our departed grandmothers and grandfathers.    It is also in the teaching of the resurrection that the prophecy of Jesus as the coming King, the restoration of Israel, the wrath of God on the ungodly, the new heavens and the new earth all come into focus and bring clarity and hope to those of us alive today. 

He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Rev 22:20)