Jerusalem, 30 AD. An itinerant teacher from Galilee borrows a donkey and rides downtown followed by a cheering crowd. He goes into the temple and starts acting like he owns the place. Today, 1991 years later, we are still talking about it.
Overturning tables and chairs, spilling coins, driving out dealers of pigeons, Jesus clears the temple court of merchants and money changers. He accuses the authorities of turning this place of prayer into a den of thieves. They, in turn, are indignant and plot to eliminate the troublemaker.
The dispute here runs much deeper than disagreement about the use of the courtyard. The question is really about who is king.
The chief priests were ruling like kings, backed by the Roman Empire. The were interlopers, having neither the right to the office of chief priest or claim to be rulers. But they had power and wealth, so they didn’t care about rightful succession – at least not until the rightful heir to the throne and the temple showed up riding a donkey.
A courtyard filled with children yelling “Hosanna to the Son of David!” was too much truth for them.
If you recall the Christmas story you know that Jesus was born into the House of David. King David, before he died, prepared stones, timber and hardware for the building of the temple. His son King Solomon built the temple. Their descendant King Hezekiah cleansed the temple after a period of neglect. And his descendent, King Zerubbabel, returned to Jerusalem from exile and rebuilt the temple the Babylonians had torn down. Now their descendent Jesus walks in and claims the place. He also claims standing as the son of God.
Five days later Jesus is under arrest. His hands are tied and he is on trial before Pilate, the Roman proconsul, having been handed over by the chief priests.
Pilate asks him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
Outside a crowd, stirred up by the chief priests, is yelling, “We have no king but Caesar.”
You know what happens next. Pilate finds Jesus innocent but orders crucifixion; he is afraid of the king in Rome, Caesar. The priests go celebrate their holiday, thinking their status with Caesar is secure. Those who have chosen Jesus as king, shocked and confused, go home and mourn.
Had you been there in Jerusalem, whom would you have chosen, Jesus or Caesar?
Every day, whether we think about it or not, we choose our king. High priests of our culture are demanding your obedience. They might use their wealth and power of influence to cancel and destroy you if you choose Jesus. Click here if you don’t know what I am talking about.
Before his arrest Jesus made a promise to his friends: “Your sorrow will turn into joy.” He kept that promise. When Sunday came he rose from death and the world changed forever.
Choose your king wisely. All the rulers and priests who tried to cancel Jesus are gone, as today’s soon will be.
Jesus is alive and looking for you. Choose wisely.
Hope Walking 