HARRY MARTINEZ: The King arrives
Mar. 20—Almost two years have passed since the death of Queen Elizabeth. She was a gracious monarch, dearly loved, and a friend to our nation. Her funeral and the ascension of King Charles to the throne were carried out with grandeur.
Scripture gives a detailed record of the presentation of another king that was markedly different. Matthew writes in his gospel ... "As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, 'Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away'" (Matt 21:1-3 NIV).
Dr. Luke adds an additional detail to the account ... "you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden" (Luke 19:30 NIV). In contrast to the elaborate ornamental trimmings on a colt used to honor kings in that day, Jesus humbly rode one that had never been ridden before, peacefully, rather than warlike, and without pomp or regal attire.
This had Biblical significance, for the entrance of this King into Jerusalem would be unique, never to be replicated throughout human history. The people and religious leaders would know beyond any doubt that this Jesus was the very One prophesied by Zechariah. "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zech 9:9 NIV).
Mark records in his gospel the events that occurred along the procession route ... "Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those 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 11:8-10 NIV). Matthew states that they identified him as the Son of David (Matt 21:6b NIV).
Yet, the Jewish religious leaders and people of Israel would demand His death. Pilate, fearing the loss of his political position inquired ... "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him" (Matt 27:23 NIV)!
However, the Divine Plan progressed as designed in eternity past in which the second member of the Trinity was elected to accomplish salvation. In spite of evil men, motivated by Satan, God's Plan to offer the world the Savior became a reality. Had the Jews received Jesus as their Savior, they could have had the kingdom promised then ... "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his. He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch" (Gen 49:10-11 NIV). That kingdom will be established at the Second Coming of Christ (Rev 19:11-16).
Paul instructed Christians... "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. and so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. and this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins'" (Rom 11:25-27 NIV). "In that day," declares the LORD, "I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief. I will make the lame a remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever. As for you, O watchtower of the flock, O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem" (Micah 4:6 NIV).
Harry Martinez, a resident of Albany, is a retired minister who served a nondenominational congregation in Florida. His weekly column appears in several South Georgia newspapers.
