This
coming week we are going to be reading a portion of scripture that may be very
familiar. It details Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem prior to the celebration of
Passover. Growing up as a Christian, we celebrated
this day as Palm Sunday. It was followed by Holy Week - a week set aside to
remember Jesus' last days prior to His crucifixion. Then the joyful celebration of Easter!
As
I read the Messianic commentary on this passage my eyes were opened to something
I never saw before. Looking at the
events of Holy Week from a Jewish perspective and the actual Passover
preparation gave me a much deeper appreciation of God's timeline. One aspect of
Passover really caught my attention.
The
lamb was a focal point in the Passover celebration. Going all the way back to
the night of the exodus from Egypt God gave very specific instructions how the
lamb was to be prepared: "Tell the
whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month (Nissan) each man
is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household" (Ex.
12:3). It also tells us in this passage
that the lamb was to be without defect and was to be chosen four days prior to
the celebration of Passover, which would be on the 14th of Nissan. During these
four days the lamb would be inspected to insure it was free from defects,
broken bones or other impurities. They wanted to ensure that it was the best of
the kosher offerings.
As
believers in Jesus as the Messiah we know that Jesus was the Lamb of God. John the apostle tells us: "The next day john saw Jesus coming toward
him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"(John
1:29). Now let's look at our passage in
Matthew 21:6-11. These verses recount Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem, riding on
a donkey, on a road strewn with palm branches. This was very different from the
times that He had come before this to visit the temple or teach His disciples. This
was a public presentation. He was greeted with the words: "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He
who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna is the highest!" (Matt.
21:9). As my commentary pointed out this occurred four days prior to Passover,
the 10th of Nissan! "On this day
Jesus was presented publicly to Israel as if to say "See if I am the
kosher Lamb of God, your Messiah!" (Matthew,
presents Yesua, King Messiah, Kasdan, pg. 234).
Sometimes
as Christians I think we can miss out on the wonders of God because we simply
are not familiar with the Jewishness of the events that we read about in the
Bible. In the big picture the timing of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem did not
seem significant to me but as I studied it in light of Passover I was amazed by
God. He is so purposeful in what He does. His plan is not arbitrary or random.
The LORD gave Moses the Passover requirements in 1446 BC. Jesus entered
Jerusalem in the donkey in 30 AD. That is almost a 1,500 year span!! God is so
purposeful in what He does. His plan is not arbitrary or random. How thankful I
am that I have committed my life to a God who knows the end form the begining,
who is the Alpha and the Omega!!
"Open my eyes that I may behold wonderous
things out of Your law." (Psalm 119:18, ESV)
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