The Non-Triumph

“…when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him…” (John 12:12-13; NKJV)

Jesus enters Jerusalem, not as a king claiming His rightful throne, but as a servant seeking to give entirely of Himself to change the world forever.  Jesus isn’t paralleling the Roman triumph.  He’s subverting it, mocking it.   Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem is the antithesis of Empire, human pride and arrogance, vanity, the excess of Rome.

The Caesars of this world posture as deities and boast of grandeur.  They ride horses.  They sacrifice bulls to Jupiter to proclaim their own power and authority.

Christ Jesus, a divine presence on Earth, enters as a humble man.  He rides a donkey.  He Himself if the sacrifice, willing to surrender His power and pour out His very life to bring salvation to others.