This morning we looked at the Triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (Matt 22:1-11), noticing that the form of transport chosen by Jesus (a colt, the foal of a donkey) demonstrated not only His organisational prowess or the fulfilment of prophecy (Zech 9:9) but His method of ruling – through lowliness and humility, service and self-denial (see also Mark 10:45). Jesus was indeed God’s king, chosen to bring peace to mankind, but the way He would do this would be through His death on a cross, not through military might.
As we look back during Advent to the first coming of Jesus but also look ahead to His second coming, so the triumphal entry of Palm Sunday points us to the time when Jesus will come again, this time riding on a white horse, bringing with Him an army of believers. Then He will be known as ‘Faithful and True’, the ‘Word of God’, ‘King of Kings and Lord of lords.’ (Rev 19:11-16) Then He will come not only to bring salvation to those who have believed in Him but to judge the world. (Heb 9:28) We will then see Jesus not as the One bearing our punishment and shame (see Isaiah 53) but as the One who will ‘mete out God’s judgment on those who rejected His offer of peace.’ (Joe Beard)
God’s story encompasses all of history. We look back at that first Easter with hearts of gratitude because it shows us the way of salvation. It shows us that there is hope for the hopeless, that God Himself has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him. But we also look ahead to the completion of God’s plans and the fulfilment of all prophecy. We share in Holy Communion only ‘until He comes’ (see 1 Cor 11:23-26) God’s story is in several acts: Jesus came to earth from glory. He lived and served in humility, becoming obedient to death on a cross. He died on the cross for our sins, but there is now an empty tomb, for He rose again. He ascended to heaven, and we are now in that final stage of history, waiting for His triumphant return. Come, Lord Jesus.