Palm Sunday: Gospel, John 12:12-19                              

John 12:12-19

How can anyone think of titling anything with Jesus is dot, dot, dot, dot? All the pages ever written couldn’t capture it all. All the stuff in the dots, that is. But then I’m not trying to capture the total. But something singular and something monumental. Twice in our reading (in our English Bibles) a word is used that gives some answer to those dots in question. One use comes in the proclamation of those eager to see the purported Messiah as He makes His way into the great city. And another use is one that confirms this “visitor’s” identity from centuries before His birth.

Jesus is entering Jerusalem for the final week of His earthly life. Crowds have gathered, moved by the words spoken by and about this rabbi and attracted by the reports and witnessing of His great works of power, most notably the raising of His dear friend Lazarus from death. The religious professionals are nervous. They know that as the young rabbi from Nazareth grows in influence, so theirs wanes among the people. And they don’t like it. But back to that word. The word is “king.”

Jesus as King and the Kingdom He brings and rules is one of the hallmarks of all the Bible. And I like to draw readers’ attention to that theme again and again. One reason is that I do it for selfish reasons. It is one of my favorite themes. And I need to remind myself of Jesus' identity because I fail so often to recognize it rightly. He is the King. He is my King. And most notably is the King of all, whether or not one acknowledges the fact or even knows it. The world in part does not know it because the church doesn’t emphasize it nearly enough in its preaching and worship. That’s my opinion. But yes Jesus is King. And as on the day of His entry into Jerusalem for a destiny only He knew, the crowds hailed their monarch, so should we. Not only on this revered day, but every day.

“Ride on, ride on in majesty!

In lowly pomp ride on to die.

Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain,

Then take, O God, Thy pow’r and reign.”