1. Jesus enters in Jerusalem

Today is the first Lord’s day of new church year and also the beginning of Lent. Jesus entered Jerusalem at the time of the Passover and many people there received him enthusiastically. We commemorate the day as the Palm Sunday*, today in this year. On that occasion we seek to earn the meaning of the event by reading Mark chapter 11.

We will focus on two key points. The first is the fact Jesus chose a donkey instead of a horse to ride getting into Jerusalem. (see note *) Though Jesus has recognized his identity as the Messiah he preferred a donkey to a horse which should be more adequate for a powerful man. Why did he do so ? At first we will reflect on that point. The second one is why people unexpectedly changed their attitude toward Jesus. After such a warm welcome they claimed his crucifixion only 6 days after his entry in Jerusalem, the Friday. (see Mark 15:13)

Now shall we read the record by Mark;- As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. (Mark 11:1-2)

“the village ahead of you” indicates Bethany where lived his close friends, Martha and Mary, and Simon the Leper, cured by Jesus though. (see Matthew (26:6-13) and Mark (14:3-9))

Jesus thought they must be helpful in any cases. Then Jesus added ;-If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ “(Mark 11:3)

To reflect on the reason for that Jesus specified “a donkey ” we’d better refer to Matthew 21:4-5 ;- This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”

The prophet here is Zechariah, who said ;- See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.(Zechariah 9:9)

Jesus knew how Jewish people were aspiring for the arrival of the king, the Savior. Naturally they should think the Messiah, the king, would come on a magnificent horse, adequate animal for glorious existence. Nonetheless Jesus required a donkey to ride on.

Here please pay attention to the image of donkey presented in the Bible, for example in Exodus ;- Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. (Exodus 13:13 see also 13:12-16)

In the world of the Old testaments, every firstborn animal should be sacrificed and offered to God, except donkey. Why not Donkey ? Because it was considered to be too modest for offering. And Jesus, who perfectly knew the contents of the Hebrew Bible, intentionally required a donkey. The fact reveals he recognized and accepted totally his death at that time how

He was telling the disciples through the command , ” I am sent as the Messiah who should redeem the people with a humbled death, resembling to a image of donkey.

Furthermore He might have said “A horse is suitable for a ruling person. But I came on the earth to serve you, not to dominate. I won’t seek being a victor of wars or conflicts but will bring reconciliations among you and between God and you. Yet your sins put obstacle to that. Therefore I must redeem you by bearing your sins on me.

Donkey is a humble and patient animal, not for magnificent conquerors. It bears burdens for humans’ sake. This way Jesus showed disciples his way of life, by alluding to that of donkey.

2. People’s about-face

After Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, crowd came to see him. They had heard he was curing illnesses and throwing evil spirits out with marvelous power. They thought he was the very prophet of whom arrival had been predicted by Moses. Therefore Israelites welcomed Jesus so fervidly ;- 9Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!""Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!"(Mark 11:9-10)

They wanted him to be a glorious savior who should defeat enemies by commanding excellent armies and emancipate Jewish people from foreign dominations.

Jesus continued walking without words among those clamoring people. He was not that messiah. He was the Messiah who rides on a donkey, destined to bear humans’ sins as his own burden. Therefore he will surrender himself without resisting against solders sent by Jewish leaders. He didn’t argue for himself in the court and was sent to romans to be crucified.

Afterwards Jewish people got strongly disappointed because it was impossible to find any feature of outstanding king on such a seemingly powerless man. They were so depressed that they cried out before the authorities ” Kill him on a cross, such a wretched man!” Then Jesus was put on the Cross.

3. To live like a donkey, not like a conqueror

Today’s invocation verse is Isaiah 49:4 ;- But I said, “I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand, and my reward is with my God.”

There is no exact historical record concerning the date of the Cross. It seems the event was eclipsed in numerous rebellious incidents which occurred so often all over Judea in Jesus’ time due to severe Roman domination. Besides, from Jewish point of view of the era, it should be considered to be worthless to write down. Nor Gentile historians did give any importance to it. Nonetheless, as generations descending, the event obtained tremendous significance due to disciples’ testimonies, who had witnessed the Resurrection.

We knew we were saved thanks to “A kernel of wheat which fell to the ground and dies(see John 12:24)” And now we must understand why Jesus chose a donkey (a colt) to enter into Jerusalem. Because the Gospels reject a life of a conqueror who can be symbolized by a magnificent horse.

Isaiah said ;- Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD.(Isaiah 31:1)

Horse represents a authoritarian power. A life relying on a horse is a comparison with a life relying human aptitude, in other words a life of those who seek domination others. But humans, like horses, are simple creatures of flesh. Therefore the Bible tells us not to trust in such vulnerable existences. In contrast to that a donkey alludes to living way of those who serve God. Donkey is forbearing and obedient animal. It bears loads for master, without grumbling. Indeed it is not so powerful, sturdy and fast as a horse. Nonetheless our Lord Jesus preferred such a donkey to a horse. The fact shows us which kind of life we should choose.

Some who are given exceptional talents good lucks can arrive to make brilliant success in the earthy world, in business or politic for example. However the majority of us are not the same. Our existences,without leaving social fames, will be forgotten in passing time. But It doesn’t matter. Jesus might say we should live like a donkey, who bears given loads to serve others. Temporal earthy estimations or reputations are not important. Jesus’ life might seem to be a failure to those without faith. The death on the Cross as a criminal is difficult to be admired. But God resurrected him and lifted him up to heaven with glory. It is enough for us if God knows what we do with our best .

A Japanese christian Kanzo Uchimura*** reflected longtime on a way of living appropriate for a Jesus’ follower. He was born in a son of chevalier in the last decade of Edo period. He converted to Christianity when he was university student. After becoming a professor he gave a speech based on his concerning meditations to young students. He said “Naturally we want to leave something on the earth as remembrance of our life. It might be a wealth or technological inventions or political achievements. Those feats need special gifts to accomplish. But there is one way which any of us can do. That is to show our own life style which witnesses to the belief in Christ. By that we could convince others that this world is not ruled by evils but by God’s will. In that way we can contribute to the establishment of God’s kingdom. ”

Even when we feel “laboring to no purpose and spending our strength in vain and for nothing” we must think “Yet what is due us is in the LORD’s hand, and our reward is with our God.” Even if it looks like that of donkey, that way of living must be based authentic faith. To receive calling is to be invited to choose such a life. We are here today together because we already received the calling. And I wish you recognize how wonderful it is.
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notes
* a colt or a donkey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Sunday#Prophetic_Interpretations)
** Palm Sunday (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Sunday)
*** Kanzo Uchimura (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanzo_Uchimura)