As Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, He rode on a donkey colt, which blends an unlikely combination of the elements of royalty and humility. The people laid down before Him a ground-covering of palm branches, a veritable red carpet for a first-century new king.
They shouted “Hosanna!” which means “Save us!” Surely the crowd wanted salvation from Rome. But give Jesus a week and He’ll bring salvation from a bigger, stronger, more ancient and oppressive empire than Rome could ever be. He’ll deliver a blow to our evil foe and deliver us from the death he wants for us. Jesus will deliver us – save us! – from sin and its consequences.
For the previous three plus years, Jesus had been consistent in His messaging: the Kingdom of Heaven is here! John had shouted the same message as he baptized Jews in preparation for the Messiah. The idea was that John would have them positioned to receive the King and King Jesus would offer Himself to them.
Now here they were. The week He would literally offer Himself, not only to them, but to Father God as the necessary sacrifice for their deliverance. More accurately, for our deliverance.
The Greek word euangiou is translated in the New Testament as “gospel.” Gospel wasn’t first used as pertaining to Jesus. It was used hundreds of years earlier each time the Greek Empire would annex a new territory or conquer a new nation or city. It was also used later by Rome as it would enlarge its territory by expanding its oppression to include new subjects.
Each time, some official would ride into town, set up a pulpit and announce how good life was now going to be under the rule of this latest emperor. The tax burden would be light; protection from threats would make life easy.
Promises, promises. Never fulfilled. The light taxes became unbearable, and the easy life was harder than it had been before.
But Jesus – you know, the One who promised a light burden and an easy yoke – delivered on His promises, even as the one from whom He delivered us was most oppressive, and the One to whom He delivered us is kindest and most generous.
So on the Friday following His triumphal entry into the city, the King humbled Himself most publicly as He delivered on His promise to make things easy and light. He paid the price we couldn’t pay for sin He didn’t commit, all to bring us into His Kingdom of Life. The Kingdom of Heaven had come.
The Kingdom and its King to faithless eyes seemed to have fallen. But on that Sunday, that Kingdom rose with its King. The Kingdom of Heaven, with its King, rose from the dead! As a king goes so goes his kingdom. And, therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven has risen. Higher than Rome. Higher than Greece. Higher than Medo-Persia. Higher than Babylon. Higher than Assyria. Higher than Egypt. Higher than the British, French or Japanese Empire. Higher than any recent or modern empire. Higher than the Kingdom of darkness ever has or ever will. Higher than all the kingdoms of the world in all its history and its pre-history. As Jesus is the King of kings, So Heaven is the Kingdom of kingdoms.
It has risen with its King and lives in the hearts of us, His followers, believers, subjects, children, friends. Heaven is in us! Because, with its King, Heaven is risen! Let us celebrate our King and His Kingdom! Happy Easter, 2023!
