The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!”
~ Matthew 21:8-9
Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
~ Matthew 23:38-39
The last week of Jesus’ earthly life began with an almost shocking scene. He rode into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey saddled with the coats of His disciples (Zec 9:9). He entered in gentleness and not judgment.
As He rode, crowds surrounded Him and quoted Psalm 118:26, giving praise to God and praise to Jesus, referring to Him as the Son of David—a Messianic title.
The crowd laid palm branches on the road in front of Him as he entered the city, and laid their coats on the road so that even the donkey did not step on the dirt.
All of this pomp and circumstance identified Jesus as the coming King, the promised Messiah.
But when He entered the city itself, He received rejection from the Jewish leaders, who were angry about the praise He was receiving. That night He left the city, and spent the night outside.
Rejection Completed
The rejection of Christ by the leaders of Israel, and later the people as well, didn’t change who Jesus was. He was and remains the King of the Jews, the rightful King of Jerusalem, and the true Messiah.
However, the people could not see His glory because, for most, their eyes were blinded to the reality of who He was.
This blindness would ultimately lead to the wholesale rejection of His authority, and ultimately His death on the cross.
Not Plan B
The disciples who watched the events of the week unfold must have been despairing. From the high of Sunday, things began to crash. But looking back on the events of that week, we know that the rejection of the leaders and the nation had not changed God’s plan in the least.
At the end of Matthew 23, Jesus laments over the city and makes a remarkable statement. He quotes the very same verse that the people sang to Him during His triumphal entry as a prophecy of things to come in the future (Psalm 118:26).
God’s plans for the city of Jerusalem were still completely intact. The rejection and crucifixion of Christ were no accidents. Everything was going according to plan.
God’s Plans Sure
We live in a moment of global uncertainty. But these days are not uncertain for God. Instead, this moment in history is simply the unfolding of God’s perfect plan. This is true for world governments and economies, but also true for each person.
God’s perfect plans for each of us remain completely intact. He is not caught off guard. He is not second guessing. Instead, He is continuing to bring His perfect plan to fruition in each of our lives.
We can’t look back on tomorrow yet. But we can trust the One who has planned it! Our Savior’s own life and death prove that God’s loving plan for us will remain sure, no matter what comes.
