Ride On!
John 12:12-19
I began yesterday’s sermon with a few comments about parades. I mentioned that parades don’t seem to happen as much as they may have in the past. Parades are expensive: plan, execute, and clean-up. I retold my story of going to the Super Bowl parade last year for the Philadelphia Eagels. I noted three things particularly about going to the parade: planning, waiting , and distance. We had to plan to go the parade. We had to plan what time to leave, where to go, and what we would do once there. We had to prepare to wait in a car for nearly five hours. Finally, even though we got a great parking spot and had a relatively good spot to stand as the parade past by us, we were still at a great distance from the players, who were barely visible!
I then reflected on the plan of Jesus coming into the world. It is the purpose of the Old Testament, telling how Jesus comes into his creation to save it, you, and me! Still, you may feel like one of the people in the crowd, barely able to see Jesus. You are waiting for Jesus but life seems to fall apart around you! This makes you feel distant from Jesus, like standing in the crowd, waiting, and yet only barely seeing him.
This experience is the reason for this week! Jesus rides on for you! He sits on a donkey, a humble king—recalling the enthronement of Solomon—who rides straight to the cross for you. He knows this is his purpose. He is not a weak, passive Savior being abused by the Romans. Rather, he uses the evil of the Roman Empire to bring the greatness goodness into all creation: its salvation! Jesus rides on straightway, bringing you hope, peace, and joy no matter what the particular situation that defines you. Ride On!