On that first Palm Sunday so many years ago, Jesus shows himself to be our humble king as he enters Jerusalem.
In Matthew 11:29 (ESV) Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Speaking of himself, in Matthew 25:34 (ESV), Jesus says, Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Jesus Christ. The king who will judge at the end of days is the humble savior who gives rest to our souls.
He’s humble. He’s king. He’s both, but it seems like in our world, people tend to gravitate towards one side of this equation, favoring one image of Jesus that suits their personality, their tendencies or the cultural/political argument they are trying to use Jesus in order to win.
On the one side, many Christians love only the humility of Christ and place all the weight into words like compassion, empathy, and mercy. We love the gentle Jesus.
On the other hand, some Christians can only see Christ as the mighty victor, placing the emphasis on Jesus riding the white horse at the end of days, commanding an army of angels. We love the conquering Christ.
But we must remember: He is not just both, but he is the same.
He is the humble king; born in a manger, not a palace.
He is the humble king; calling us to kindness but also to repentance.
He is the humble king; once riding a donkey but will return on warhorse.
He is the humble king; sacrificial and victorious.
Palm Sunday reminds us, Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey amidst praise and palms as he came to save his people. But this also reminds us of when he will return, triumphant and true, coming to claim what is his – his people.
Palm Sunday shows us Christ, the Humble King.
