When Jesus came into town, He knew what He was doing. His time had finally come to be openly acknowledged for Who He really was. He got onto the back of a donkey and ascended the pathway through the gates of the city. The people cried out in welcome that He was the promised Messiah, the son of David, and true King of Israel.
About thirty-three years before, Jesus was spoken of as King, and Herod slaughtered many babies trying to rid the earth of a rival to his throne. Now, the people are voicing what the wise men said decades before, and again, it will raise jealousies and cost someone’s life: this time, it would be his own.
In the midst of the tumult of the crowds, the Spring celebration of Passover was about to commence. Many lambs had already been brought to Jerusalem to be sacrificed as an offering for sin. Now Jesus enters the city as the lamb which God supplied to take away the sins of the world, and the designation given by John the Baptist becomes a literally fulfilled prophesy. At Passover, Jesus died to cover the sins of humanity, repairing what was lost due to sin, offering forgiveness and salvation to any who would desire, by His grace, received through faith. Jesus was the substitute receiving the judgment in the stead of you and me.
This Sunday is the commemoration of that triumphal entry into Jerusalem and Passover will officially commence just a few days following. What will that mean to us? Will we pause to remember Jesus, the lamb of God? Will we allow His sacrifice to cover us? For many, the answer is no. What will you do with the Savior of the World? Will you let Him save you?