The Grand Entry of Creator Sets Free (Jesus)
Creator Sets Free (Jesus) and the ones who walked the road with him were coming to the end of their journey. As they neared Village of Peace (Jerusalem), he began to make preparations for what would be his final week with his followers. It was now time to complete the work the Great Spirit had sent him to do.
1They came to House of Unripe Figs (Bethphage) at the foot of Olive Mountain, near Village of Peace (Jerusalem). There he sent two of his followers ahead of him.
2“Go into the village ahead of us,” he instructed them. “As soon as you enter, you will find a donkey tied there with her colt. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone asks you what you are doing, say to them, ‘Our Wisdomkeeper has need of them,’ and the owner will release them to you.”
4This took place to show the full meaning of the ancient prophecy, 5“Speak these words to the daughter of Strong Mountain (Zion): ‘Behold, your Chief is coming to you, in a humble way, riding upon a donkey—a colt still with its mother.’”
6His followers did as they were told. When they arrived at the village, they found everything just as he had said. 7They brought the donkey colt to Creator Sets Free (Jesus) and laid their outer garments on the colt, and he sat down on them.
8From the large crowd many began to cut branches from nearby trees and spread their outer garments on the road in front of him. 9The crowd circled around him, front and back, and began to shout:
“Hosanna! To the descendant of Much Loved One (David)!
“Blessed is the one who comes representing the Great Spirit!
“Hosanna to the highest one!”
This humble Chief did not fit the image of a conquering ruler. Instead of a warhorse, he rode on a donkey colt. No mighty warriors rode next to him. No dignitaries came out to meet him. It was mostly the common people who welcomed him that day.
10When he rode through the gate entering the Village of Peace (Jerusalem), the whole village was in an uproar!
“Who is this?” they asked.
11“He is Creator Sets Free (Jesus), the prophet from Seed Planter Village (Nazareth) in Circle of Nations (Galilee),” the crowd answered. —Matthew 21:1-11 (First Nations Version)
• In our fallen humanity, we
“For Jesus, power is about service, and service is about sacrifice.” —N.T. Wright, Michael F. Bird, The New Testament in Its World, pg. 597
20Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21“What is your request?” he asked.
She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
22But Jesus answered by saying to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”
“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”
23Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”
24When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 25But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” —Matthew 20:1-28 (NLT)
• Psalm 118:25-26
25 Lord, save us! [Yasha na / Hosanna]
Lord, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
• Luke 19:39-40 “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
• The people where not off in their celebration of Jesus being the promised
• The invitation is to say “yes” to the gift of Eternal Life through what Christ accomplished on the cross, and to be a
Posture for Holy Week
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• The invitation of humility is to trust God’s way, His leading, and His timing, and to believe that we can live by His way and value system – and that, if we do, things will be better than if we try to leverage it in our
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. —Psalm 139:23-24
In what way is Jesus inviting me to let go of ‘my way?’
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What is the Lord inviting me to do, to walk in His way of humility and compassion this week?