Monday, March 21, 2005
Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
THE DONKEY KEPT WALKING
Amid shouts of "Hosanna" and palm branches scattered in the road, Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem just days before His death. How the crowds welcomed Him that morning! Many of them thought He had arrived as the answer to their struggle against Rome. Certainly Jesus could have set up an earthly kingdom right there in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. He had so much local support that the people would have started plans for a palace right then and there if He had only said the word.
Imagine how tempting that might have been. As the true Son of God, Jesus had the right to do anything He wanted in all creation. He surely could have exalted Himself over arrogant leaders like Ceasar and Pilate, but instead He humbled Himself and allowed His very life to be taken from Him. Our flesh would suggest this to Him: "Take some glory for yourself here, O Lord! Make yourself a little more comfortable on this earth! Now seize the moment and rule for awhile!" For that's what we would have done had it been our triumphal entry. Wouldn't we in our selfishness have delighted to accept such a throne as the crowds were willing to give?
But the donkey kept walking. Jesus did not pause on Palm Sunday to lord Himself over the kings of the earth. He came instead as a servant to carry out a divine mission that would bring true comfort and victory to the whole human race. The donkey kept walking and Jesus became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 