TO CHEER OR JEER

READ: Luke 19:28-40

ANSWER THIS: When’s the last time you screamed your head off at a concert or sporting event?

THE BREAKDOWN

After leaving Jericho, Jesus begins the 15-mile trek to Jerusalem. On the way, he walks ahead of his disciples—possibly to be alone as he contemplates what’s going to happen over the next several days.

Once there, he turns to two of the disciples and makes an unusual request. He asks them to go into the nearby village, find a young donkey that’s never been ridden, untie it from its post, and if anyone stops them, he instructs them to say, “The Lord needs it.”

Sure enough, they find the donkey, untie it, and are stopped by the owners. As Jesus instructed, they say, “The Lord needs it,” and the owners let them take the donkey without incident. Upon returning to Jesus with the donkey, they throw clothes over its back, and Jesus hops on.

As Jesus rides the donkey into town, a crowd starts to form, and they begin laying clothes out in front of him (other accounts say they also cut and laid down palm branches). When he reaches the road leading to the Mount of Olives, a mountain ridge running along the east side of Jerusalem, everyone starts to sing and shout: “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”

Some people in the crowd were men known for their very strict adherence to religious laws and weren’t too keen on how the people were worshiping Jesus. So, they angrily tell Jesus to make them stop.

Unruffled, Jesus tells them if the people kept quiet, the stones would burst into cheers!

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Jesus, whose fame has spread, has come to Jerusalem. Many Jews believed he was God’s prophet, the Messiah, and would liberate them from their Roman occupiers. So, how could they possibly stay quiet upon his arrival?

Imagine your school is competing for the state championship of any sport or competition. Tons of screaming fans are cheering your team on. Then, someone comes over and tells the coach to keep you all quiet. They even accuse your team of breaking the rules. But, your coach knows that’s not true, and replies there’s no way to keep you all quiet. You can’t stop people from cheering on their championship-bound team.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR ME?

Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem was far more meaningful than any school competition. It was truly something to shout and sing about. But, not everyone felt that way. Some people accused him of making false claims and leading people astray.

So, which side are YOU on? Are you cheering Jesus on, or are you jeering at those who do?

PRAYER

“Heavenly Father, sometimes it’s hard to relate to events that happened over 2,000 years ago. Help me to understand who Jesus really was, and why some people were so captivated by him, and others opposed him. I want to be one of those who cheer him on, and not someone who criticizes those who do.”