April 19- Some Kinda Entrance

April 19, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Joshua 19:1-20:9; Luke 19:28-48;
Psalm 88:1-18; Proverbs 13:12-14

Every exit is an entrance to somewhere else.  
~Tom Stoppard

Joshua 19:1-20:9

We, once again, do not need to comment on the apportioning of land to the various tribes.  It should be noted that Joshua was given a town in acknowledgement for all that he had done.  The cities of refuge were set up as commanded by God through Moses to protect those who had accidentally killed someone.  Is God your city of refuge?  Do you run to Him for protection in life?

Luke 19:28-48

This season during the award shows for movies and television, I watched the Golden Globe Awards.  It is always fun to see the grand entrance of the stars as they walk the red carpet into an event.  Crowds of people line the walkway as the starlets steady themselves in high heels. Nowadays, various entertainment news organizations are there to analyze what each celebrity is wearing.  Hair, shoes, jewelry, and gowns are meticulously critiqued.  The tapes and photographs will be reviewed and analyzed for weeks to come. Some stars are praised for their style, poise, and grace.  Others are ridiculed for their ridiculous outfits. Really, this is somewhat horrifying.  Some people have grand entrances and others have grand faux pas. As a celebrity, you better have thick skin.

In a Frock to Shock

Today, Jesus enters Jerusalem.  It is some kinda entrance with adoring crowds and glaring critics.  Jesus doesn't just enter the city as a celebrity to gather attention for himself, he enters as a priest, a king, and a prophet.

As we piece together the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem from the various gospel accounts, it becomes clear that Jesus actually entered Jerusalem three times.  God likes the number three.  He is the Trinity, after all.  Jesus likes to say, "Verily, verily, verily."  He rose from the dead after three days.  You get the point.  It should not be surprising that Jesus enters Jerusalem three times.  The first account is in Mark 11:11.  It is the Sabbath day- Saturday and Jesus enters goes to the Temple with the disciples and then returns to the town of Bethany.  On this entrance, Jesus acted as a priest.

The second time Jesus enters Jerusalem is on Sunday, the first day of the week. In Matthew 21:12-13, Jesus confronts the money-changers in the temple.  For this entrance, Jesus acted as a king.

The third entrance is on Monday (Luke 19:41-44; 47-48).   Riding on a donkey and accepting the adulation of the crowds, Jesus has a grand entrance. Jesus is rebuked by the religious leaders for allowing the crowds to adore him and to shout, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord."  Jesus responds that if the crowds did not proclaim this, the rocks would shout out in glee.  Jesus is compelled to give a sad prophecy and cry over Jerusalem at this entrance. He laments their unbelief at his coming to his people.  He is acting as a prophet at this entrance.  Jesus cleanses the temple again on this day. Although this is called the triumphal entrance of Christ, we know that this entrance ends with his death.  There will be a day in the future when Jesus will enter Jerusalem at his second coming (Zechariah 14:4).  That entrance will signal his True Triumphal Entry and will begin when his feet touch down on the Mount of Olives.  This event will initiate his earthly, physical reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Are you prepared for Jesus' Second Coming?  Have you cried out like the stones that Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

Psalm 88:1-18

Read this psalm as if you were hearing the cries of Jesus Christ.  You can hear his voice as He suffers for our sins.  Devastating.

Proverbs 13:12-14

These verses in proverbs are very interesting.  It indicates that hope that is deferred or put off can make your heart sick.  Doctors often say that it is the patients who have hope, who are best able to recover from illness.

The proverb also speaks of wise advice being a life-giving fountain.  It is true that taking wise advice can make all of the difference in a person's life.  Ultimately, wisdom brings eternal life.

What did you see today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011