Jesus in the spot light

kisstheson · #1 1st April 2007, 03:21 AM

It's His big moment! That's Jesus in the spot light! He's in focus! Coming upon that scene with crowds of people at Jerusalem's walls eager to catch a glimpse of Him one would think the entire world has gone out to meet Him. (John 12:19) The friends of Jesus had never witnessed anything like it. A panorama of sight, sounds and fragrances spread in front and behind them as they walked down Olivet with their dear Jesus sitting on top of their own cloaks which they had laid reverently upon the back of a donkey. This was a poor transport for a king but the disciples walked proudly as though Jesus were dressed in royal silks and mounted on a white steed. No one seemed to notice His bare feet nearly touched the ground and the fringe of His talith was inches from getting soiled. The people came and kissed His shawl and offered Him wild flowers. Soon Jesus had an arm load of flowers, too many for Him to keep so He began to toss them one by one to the crowd. Whoever was lucky enough to grab one squealed with delight,

"I have been blessed by the Messiah!"

Messiah...the word was on every tongue. That word swept the crowd into adoration and praise. They cut down palm branches. Some laid down cloaks in His path and considered themselves fortunate when the weight of His body pressed their garments. Jesus saw how they would hold the cloak to the heart and weep grateful for the blessing. He prayed that indeed they would be blessed.

The disciples crowded around Him happy to see such affection for their Hero. They smiled into His face. Jesus knew what they were thinking:

What a glorious day for Him! It's about time! He's finally getting His due reward. It took awhile but at last the people recognize who He is. Oh it's gonna be a glorious week!

He gave them His best smile, grinning wildly although He knew something they didn't know. He had told them before but they shoved it out of their minds not wanting to face the truth. Would He tell them again what was about to happen? No. Not now. He accepted their praise, their good intentions. He received the pats on the back, the generous tossel of His hair by Peter's hand and young John's boistorious shouts even though His secret cut His spirit like a knife. It was but the continuous piercing of many piercings into a wound that never healed.

Jesus smiled into the eyes of a copper haired girl a father had lifted upon his shoulders. He received a palm branch from her hand, swung around and then suddenly the gates of Jerualem loomed before Him larger than life.

He couldn't help it. His large dark eyes brimmed with tears.

"O Jerusalem...!" He wept.

Palm branches for Jesus...