8th April 2022
The royal visit
The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”
John 12:12-13 (NIV)
I remember when Queen Elizabeth II visited my home town of Corby in Northamptonshire. There was a frenzy of activity as plans were enthusiastically made for the visit, and then huge crowds gathered on the day, with thousands of people hoping to catch a glimpse of, or even meet, the monarch. Amongst the crowd there was a sense of anticipation and excitement, and a realisation that they were witnessing history.
The people of Jesus’ day had been expecting a messiah (a chosen and anointed one, one set apart for a special work of God), and they were thinking that Jesus was the one expected. So, when he entered Jerusalem, they gathered to see this king in much the same way as I witnessed when the Queen came to Corby. The local residents clapped and cheered the Queen, whereas those in Jerusalem shouted out exclamations of adoration, worship and respect. Where Corby residents took cut flowers to offer to the Queen, Jerusalem residents cut branches from the trees. Crowds gathered in Corby to see the Queen of the UK and the Commonwealth, and crowds gathered in Jerusalem to see the one they called the King of Israel.
This Sunday, many Christians will gather to celebrate Palm Sunday, and we will remember our King and Messiah entering Jerusalem on what turned out to be the last few days of his human life. We have the benefit of hindsight, so we know that Jesus died on the cross, but we also know that he was resurrected, conquering sin and death in the process.
This Sunday, let’s imagine the scene as King Jesus entered Jerusalem. Let’s celebrate the arrival of this King: the ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’ (Revelation 19:16). Let’s give him adoration, worship and respect, thanking him that he came into our lives and delivered us.
Prayer
Father, thank you that your Son, Jesus, came to save us. Although he is King of kings and Lord of lords, he loves each of us so much that he became human and died for us. We praise you in his name. Amen.
Study by Anthony Dady
About the writer:
Anthony Dady is a Minister in Grace Communion International and is the Regional Pastor for Wales, the Midlands, and Northern England.
Local congregation:
GCI Northampton
Ecton Village Hall
78A High Street
Ecton
Northampton
NN6 0QB
Meeting time:
Saturday 10:30am
Local congregational contact:
Gavin Henderson
Email: gavin.henderson@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church