講題：看哪，你們的王！
經文：太21:1-11
陳美玲傳道
今天是教會曆上的棕枝主日，接下來的這一週，是大齋節期的最後一個禮拜，稱為聖週或受難週。這是耶穌在世的最後一個禮拜。今天的經文裡，記載著耶穌傳道生涯的最後一週裡發生的第一個事件。耶穌像君王般進入耶路撒冷的記事，揭開受難週記事的序幕。
按照馬太福音的記載，耶穌來到位於耶路撒冷東邊橄欖山附近的伯法其，準備前往聖城耶路撒冷。耶路撒冷城裡面，矗立著猶太人的宗教信仰的中心，敬拜至高上帝的莊嚴聖殿；這裡同時是猶太人的政治中心，雖然他們受到羅馬帝國的殖民統治，但是，不論如何，他們仍舊擁有猶太人的王──聽命於羅馬政權的王。在馬太福音21章一開始，耶穌像個君王一樣，凱旋進入猶太人的政治宗教中心，群眾手裡拿著棕樹枝歡呼迎接他。只不過，耶穌的座騎是驢子，他騎著驢進入聖城，這是一幕行動劇。透過這幕行動劇，耶穌讓我們看到，他是一位怎樣的王。
從三方面來看：
一、和平的君王
古代的君王獲得軍事上的勝利，凱旋回到王城，是一幅多麼壯盛的圖畫。讓我們想像一下，羅馬皇帝穿著軍裝，騎著駿馬或駕著恢宏的馬車，隨從和軍隊跟隨在後，鎧甲在陽光的照耀下，閃閃發光、旌旗飛揚，他所率領的軍隊在雄偉的號角聲音中，步伐整齊、浩浩蕩蕩地進城，接受人民夾道歡呼。這一幅君王凱旋回到首都的圖畫，多麼令人震撼，多麼能夠彰顯君王的威武，這是人民心目中偉大的君王該有的威儀和排場！
1．耶穌降生為和平的君王，以馬槽為記號
但是，耶穌卻是騎著驢子，進入以色列人的政治和宗教中心。他是君王嗎？他是的。當耶穌降生的時候，東方來的星象家來到耶路撒冷尋找他：「那出生要作猶太人的王的在哪裏？」「那出生要作猶太人的王的在哪裏？」（太2:2）尊貴的王要出生在皇室之中，他的降生必定是萬眾矚目的事。想想看，幾年前英國的凱特王妃要生產前，得到多麼大的關注，不只是英國人，大英國協的人民，幾乎是全世界到處都有人注目著這件事。皇家的下一代要出生了，每個人都期待著未來的王儲的誕生。
耶穌的誕生不一樣，從東方來的星象家尋找新生王，在聖城耶路撒冷找不到他，在耶路撒冷竟然沒有人知道耶穌已經出生了，連以色列人的王希律也不知道，不知道他出生在哪裡。耶穌的降生安安靜靜地發生，在聖城耶路撒冷幾乎沒有人注意到，皇宮裡沒有準備，人民不知道新生王降生，東方星象家來到最有可能的政教中心找不到他。
在以賽亞書9:6裡，描述上帝所應許所選派來拯救人民的君王，是一位「和平的君王」。路加福音的作者告訴我們，他出生在伯利恆城裡一處卑微的馬槽裡。耶穌是和平君王，他和世上的君王不一樣，他沒有這種軍容盛大的排場。他沒有騎在高大的駿馬上面，他所有的座騎，是一隻驢子。跟隨他的，是他的門徒，一群平凡的加利利人。
2．和平的君王騎著驢子，以自己的生命為榜樣
他是騎在驢背上的君王。耶穌用這樣的行動，做為反諷。馬太引用了舊約的先知撒迦利亞和以賽亞，說「看哪，你們的君王來了！他謙遜地（praus: gentleness in spirit; meekness）騎在驢背上，騎在小驢的背上。」（太21:5）。世上的君王是威武強壯的皇帝，如同羅馬帝國的皇帝，他靠武力權勢，讓人服從他。但是，上帝國的君王，是和平的君王。他的座騎是不起眼的驢子，不是高大快速的千里馬，他用自己的行為做榜樣，吸引人跟隨他。戰馬代表征服，展現君王的權勢和力量。和駿馬比較起來，驢子是溫馴可靠的動物，牠為主人背負貨物。兩相對照，顯示出極大的差距。
先知撒迦利亞預告上帝所喜悅的君王，和世俗的君王不一樣，他不是靠著戰馬和強有力的軍事武力來打勝仗。用武力征服人的王，不一定能夠獲得人的心。耶穌用他的言語和行為立下榜樣，吸引人跟隨他，接納他做為生命的君王。
舉例：在我們的世界裡，有一位總統，他的頭銜是「全世界最窮的總統」。他贏得許多人民的愛戴，當2015年在南美洲的烏拉圭總統穆西卡任期屆滿時，數千名民眾在他發表告別演說的時候，自發性地前來歡送他。穆西卡受到愛戴，因為他和絕大多數的總統不一樣。他為人民服務，不住豪華的總統官邸，他不坐有派頭的總統座車，開自己的老爺金龜車；他把總統的薪水90%捐出來，給慈善團體，自己過著簡樸生活。穆西卡總統的行為，呼應了耶穌這位和平的君王的作為，他用自己的言行帶來改變。
二、謙卑的君王
耶穌這位上帝應許給我們的和平君王，不只沒有誕生在華麗的王宮，沒有受到太多人的矚目。他的一生，展現的是溫柔和謙遜的態度。耶穌就是那位「謙謙和和地騎著驢」的君王，他的一生，都在詮釋謙卑的意義。
1．謙卑就是捨己
在耶穌的生命中，顯示出他是一位謙卑的君王。
他誕生在卑微馬槽裡，當他出來四處傳道的時候，他過的是捨己的生活。曾經，有一位經學教師很敬佩耶穌的教導，因此他表示，無論耶穌到哪裡，他都要跟從。然而耶穌回答他說：「狐狸有洞，飛鳥有窩，可是人子連枕頭的地方都沒有」（太8:19-20）跟隨耶穌的人，要想清楚，跟著他得不到物質的好處。耶穌傳道的時候，許多人圍繞在他身邊，裡面有貧窮人，也有有錢人。如果他有這樣的念頭，他絕對有機會為自己從求取物質上的好處。但是，他沒有。在物質生活上，他連枕頭的地方都沒有。
而且，他也不為物質生活而掛慮擔憂，他指著野地的花和天上的飛鳥說：「所以我告訴你們，不要為了生活上所需的飲食，或者身上所穿的衣服操心。難道生命不比飲食重要，身體不比衣服重要嗎？你們看天空的飛鳥：牠們不種不收，也不存糧在倉裏，你們的天父尚且飼養牠們！你們豈不比鳥兒更貴重嗎？為甚麼要為衣服操心呢？看看野地的百合花怎樣生長吧！它們既不工作又不縫衣；可是我告訴你們，甚至像所羅門王那樣的榮華顯赫，他的衣飾也比不上一朵野花那樣的美麗。野地的花草今朝出現，明天枯萎，給扔在火爐裏焚燒，上帝還這樣打扮它們，他豈不更要賜衣服給你們嗎？」（太6:25-30）這段話，是耶穌的生活哲學，這位謙卑的君王沒有過皇家的豪華生活，他沒有金碧輝煌的寢宮，不但如此，他也沒有樸素的屋子可以遮風避雨，他甚至連自己的家都沒有。謙卑的君王捨己來到世上，他不是要壯大自己，他是要遵行上帝的旨意，是要關心微不足道的人。
2．憐憫微不足道的人
耶穌是一位俯就卑微人的君王，當他看到孤苦無助的人的時候，他就憐憫他們（太9:36）。誰是孤苦無助的人呢？在一個社會裡，居於社會經濟階層中最底層的人，就是孤苦無助的人。他們沒有人脈、沒有資源。這些人是耶穌關注的人。他醫治生病的人，他不只醫治男人，他也願意醫治女人，她們在那個時代是最為被大家輕視的人。他願意花時間和猶太人看不起的撒馬利亞婦人坐在井邊談論信仰的意義。他為迦南女人的信心所感動，願意醫治這位外邦女子的女兒（太15:21-28）。他所做的這一切，都是為了遵行上帝的旨意。世人認為微不足道的人，是上帝看重的人。耶穌特別關心卑微的人，在他的教導中，那些服事最微小的人的人，將要得到上帝無上的獎賞。
3．邀請我們背負他的軛
耶穌，謙卑的君王向我們發出邀請，他說：「來吧，所有勞苦、背負重擔的人都到我這裏來！我要使你們得安息。你們要負起我的軛，跟我學，因為我的心柔和謙卑。這樣，你們就可以得到安息。」（太11:29 ）。耶穌請我們背負他的軛，這句話的意思是邀請我們順服在他的權威之下，受其管轄。他邀請我們學習他的樣式，他的樣式就是謙卑捨己，學習做上帝國度裡的僕人、尋找信仰的真諦。
不是受人服事，乃是服事人，這是耶穌的榜樣，跟隨他的人也要效法。在台南的由英國宣教師設立長老教女學校，第一任校長盧仁愛姑娘，她是受過專業師範教育的老師。有一次，學校的廚房阿姨生病，無法起床。她很希望盧校長來幫忙她為她洗澡。盧校長是學校的領導者，非常受到敬重。她聽到這樣的請求，就到廚房阿姨的宿舍為她洗澡。盧校長學習耶穌這位謙卑君王的榜樣，負起耶穌的軛，放下身段、為卑微的人服務。
三、順服上帝的君王
看哪，這位君王騎著驢子，當他緩緩地進入聖城耶路撒冷的時候，群眾拿著棕樹枝向著他歡呼著和撒那，將衣服鋪在路上，讚美至高的上帝。
1．群眾和門徒所認識的耶穌
這些群眾大部分不是耶路撒冷城的居民，他們從其他城鎮來到這裡過節的人民。或許，他們當中有人曾經在加利利看過耶穌行神蹟，醫治好跛腳的人、瞎眼的人；或許，他們當中有人讓五餅二魚填飽過饑餓的肚子；或許，耶穌在伯大尼使拉撒路復活，令他們印象深刻。他們熱情地歡呼，手裡揮舞著棕樹枝，卻不見得真正認識耶穌。群眾的呼喊聲造成很大的騷動時，有人指著耶穌問：「這個人到底是誰？」群眾的回答記載在21:11，「他是加利利省拿撒勒的先知耶穌。」他們不是真正認識耶穌。
耶穌的學生真正認識他嗎？連他一些的學生也是，期待耶穌帶領他們推翻羅馬人殖民統治，建立以色列王國，成為政治上的王。耶穌第三次預言自己的死之後，他的門徒雅各和約翰這兩兄弟，要求說，當耶穌做王的時候，他們兩人要一個坐在右邊，一個坐在左邊。你們看，他的門徒對於他的使命仍然一知半解。耶穌要做王，沒有錯；但是，他要成為受難的君王。
因而，耶穌用騎驢的行動來表達他無意推翻羅馬帝國，他的使命不是要成為政治上的君王。
2．順服上帝的君王耶穌
在馬太福音中，耶穌進入耶路撒冷之前，曾經三次預告自己的死（16:21-27; 17:22; 20:17-19）。第一次發生在彼得宣認他是基督，是上帝的兒子的事件之後；第二次，在耶穌領著彼得、雅各和約翰到高山上改變形像之後；第三次，在他準備要進入耶路撒冷的時候。顯然，耶穌很清楚自己進入耶路撒冷，將會遭遇的狀況。這位騎著驢子的君王，知道做為上帝的僕人，他必須順服上帝的帶領。
騎驢進城的君王是受難的君王，這幕行動劇所要諷刺的，是騎著駿馬凱旋的君王，這個世界靠武力和權勢征服別人的君王。受難的君王耶穌只有一個目標，就是要順服上帝的旨意，耶穌說：「你們當中誰要作大人物，誰就得作你們的僕人；誰要居首，誰就得作你們的奴僕。正像人子一樣，他不是來受人侍候，而是來侍候人，並且為了救贖眾人而獻出自己的生命。」（太20:26-28）耶穌為順服遵行上帝的旨意，他努力傳揚上帝國的好消息，即便因而得罪有權勢的人也不畏懼。他三次預告自己的死亡，因為他很清楚，不願意妥協的結果，可能就是死亡。但是，對他而言，順服上帝高過一切，甚至，連生命有危險也勇敢前進。
舉例：林安、杜雪雲、連雅麗在新加坡的遭遇。第二次世界大戰時，三位英國派在台灣服事的女宣教師撤離台灣，再轉派到新加坡宣教。一年之後，由於戰火漫延到新加坡，母會發出電報通知她們撤退。不知為何，電報晚了一個月才送到她們的手上。在倉促之間，她們搭船離開新加坡，卻在公海上被日本海軍逮捕。接下來二年多的時間，她們和家人失去連繫，沒有人知道她們的生死。後來，才知道她們被關在集中營，林安和杜雪雲在營養不良和失去自由的環境中，失去了生命，二戰結束後，只有連雅麗一人平安返家。這是追隨耶穌的人，她們奉獻自己成為宣教師，去到異鄉宣揚福音。她們順服上帝的帶領，即便在危險的環境服事也沒有退縮，甚至犧牲生命。她們效法主耶穌的榜樣，不論順境不論逆境，都順服上帝。
四、結論
在棕枝主日，受難週的開始，從今天的經文，我們看到耶穌用一幕行動劇，進入聖城耶路撒冷，說明他是和平的君王、謙卑的君王、順服上帝的君王。對我們而言，我們的心如同聖城耶路撒冷，是我們與上帝會遇的中心。看哪！我們的君王，要進入我們的心。請我們再次思考，你要迎接的是怎樣的君王？是騎著駿馬的君王，還是騎著驢子的君王？是這個世界的君王，擁有權勢、財富統御人的君王，還是捨己、謙卑、順服上帝的君王？
耶穌邀請我們，凡勞苦擔重擔的人，可以到他這裡。耶穌邀請我們，背負他的軛，學習他的榜樣，不論在什麼環境都要順服上帝。你願意接受他的邀請嗎？你願意迎接這位騎驢的君王嗎？
Topic: Look, there is your king!
Scripture passage: Matthew 21:1-11
Speaker: Pastor Chen Meiling
Today is traditionally Palm Sunday in churches and in the coming week, it is the last week of the Advent, which is also known as the Holy week or Passion week. This is the last week that Jesus lived on earth. Today’s scripture passage records the first event that happened in the last week that Jesus shared the message of the kingdom of God. According to the record, Jesus entered Jerusalem like a king and started the Passion week.
As the book of Matthew records, Jesus came from Bethpage, near the Mount of Olives, from the east, ready to enter the holy city of Jerusalem. Within Jerusalem is where the center of the Jewish religious faith is established, and although they are under the rule of the Roman empire, they had a Jewish king who obeyed the orders of the Roman emperor. At the beginning of Matthew 21, Jesus enters the Jewish religious center like a king, returning in triumph. The crowd held branches from the palm tree and shouted to welcome him. However, Jesus rode on a donkey entering the holy city. This is a scene from an action movie, and Jesus showed us what type of king He is from this scene.
Let’s look at this from 3 angles.
I. Prince of Peace
Ancient kings returning to their cities after victorious battles is a grand scene. Let us imagine this for a while, that the Roman emperor wears a full battle suit of armor riding a sturdy horse or a glamorous chariot, with attendants and the army following behind, and the armor sparkles under the sun. Battle flags are flying and when the battle horns are blown, the army marches in step and enters the city amidst the cheers of the people. This is such a grand scene of a king returning after a victorious battle, and showcases the might of the king. Might and grandeur is what the people’s image of a king is like.
1. Jesus is born as the Prince of Peace, with the stable as an indication
However, Jesus is riding on a donkey when entering Jerusalem’s political and religious center. Is he a king? Yes, he is. When Jesus is born, the magi from the east came to Jerusalem to find him. “Where is the king of the Jews,” they asked. “Where is the king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2) A precious king would be born in a room in the palace, and his birth would be known to many. Think about it. A few years ago, when England’s Princess Catherine was giving birth, there was so much public attention, and not just that of the people of England, their allies, but people from all over the world were paying attention to this event. When the royal family is about the have a new baby, everyone is expecting the birth of the future king.
Jesus’ birth is different. When the magi from the east were looking for the newborn king, they could not find him in Jerusalem, and nobody in Jerusalem knew that Jesus was born, not even king Herod. Nobody knew the location of Jesus’ birth. Jesus’ birth happened quietly and almost nobody in Jerusalem noticed, and there was no preparation happening at the palace. The people did not know there was a new king and when the magi of the east came, they could not find him at the religious center.
Isaiah 9:6 describes the promised messiah who would rescue his people, is a Prince of Peace. In the gospel of Luke, the author tells us that he was born in a humble stable in Bethlehem. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, he is different from the kings of the world. He has no huge army and he did not ride on a large sturdy horse. He only rode on a donkey and following him are his disciples, a group of ordinary people from Galilee.
2. The Prince of Peace rides a donkey, using his own life as an example
He is a king who rides a donkey. Jesus uses this action as an irony. Matthew uses the prophets Zachariah and Isaiah in the Old Testament “See, your king comes to you, gentle (praus: gentleness in spirit; meekness) and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Matthew 21:5) The kings of this world are mighty and strong, just like the Roman emperor who rules through the might of his army to make everyone obey him. However, the ruler of God’s kingdom is the Prince of Peace. His mount is an insignificant donkey and not a large and fast horse. He uses himself as an example and attracts others to follow him. The warhorse represents conquering and displaces the king’s power and might. In comparison, the donkey is a peaceful and dependable animal and it carries the owner’s goods on its back. When we look at these situations together, there is a huge difference.
The prophet Zachariah foretold the king that pleased God is different from the kings of this world, because he does not depend on warhorses and a strong army’s power to win battles. A king who uses warfare to conquer does not necessarily win people’s hearts. Jesus uses his words and actions to be an example, to attract people to follow him and receive him as the king of their lives.
For example, in our world, there is a president and his title is “the world’s poorest president”. He won the love and respect of many. President Mujika is from the south African country Uruguay. When his term of office has ended, thousands of people attended his farewell speech and waved goodbye. Mujika was loved and respected because he is different from most presidents. He served the people, does not stay in the luxurious president’s apartment. He does not ride in the presidential sedan and drives his old Volkswagen. He donates 90% of his presidential salary to charitable organizations and lives a very simple life. President Mujika’s actions responded to the actions of Jesus the Prince of peace, and he uses his own words and actions to bring about change.
II. Humble king
Jesus is God’s promise of the Prince of Peace, who was not born in a glamorous palace, and not many people took notice of him. His whole life was full of gentleness and humility. Jesus is the king who rides humbly on a donkey and his whole life describes what it means to be humble.
1. To be humble is to sacrifice
Jesus’ life shows that he is a humble king. He is born in a lowly stable and when he is sharing the gospel, he lives a life of sacrifice. Once, there was a Bible teacher who respected Jesus’ teaching very much and hence he expresses that he wants to follow Jesus wherever he goes. However, Jesus told him “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:19-20) Those who follow Jesus need to think carefully because following him does not bring us material benefits, for he did not even have a place to lay his head.
Nevertheless, he was not bothered by the lack of material possessions. He pointed at the flowers of the field and the birds of the air and said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:25-30) These statements represent Jesus’ philosophy for his life. This humble king does not have an extravagant life in the palace, neither does he have a simple house as shelter from the wind and rain. The humble king sacrificed himself coming to the world not to strength himself but to obey God’s command and care for people with low social status.
2. Compassion for people with low social status
Jesus is a king who supports those without social status. When he sees people who were harassed and helpless, he had compassion on them. (Matthew 9:36) Who are the harassed and helpless? In a society, those with the lowest economic status are the harassed and helpless. They have no connections, no income, and these are those who Jesus cared about. He healed the sick, not only men but also women, whom other paid little attention to during those times. He was willing to spend time with the Samaritan woman whom the Jews looked down upon, at a well discussing the meaning of faith. He was touched by the faith of a Canaanite woman and was willing to heal the daughter of this Gentile. (Matthew 15:21-28) All that he did was to obey God’s commands. God cares about the people whom the world think, are of lowly status. Jesus gives special attention to them and in his teachings, those who serve those who are lowly, would receive God’s greatest reward.
3. Inviting us to carry his yoke
Jesus, the humble king invites us. He says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29) Jesus is inviting us to carry his yoke. What this means is that he is inviting us to submit to his authority and let him be in charge. He invites us to learn from him, which is to humble himself and learn to be a servant of God’s kingdom and find the true meaning of faith.
It is to serve and not to be served, and Jesus set an example for his followers. In Tainan, there is a girl’s school which was established by a missionary from England and the first principal is miss Lu Renai. She was a teacher who received formal training at the college of education. Once, the female chef of the school was ill and could not get up from bed. She hoped that principal Lu could help her shower. Principal Lu was the leader of the school and was well respected. When she heard of this request, she went to the bedroom of this chef to help her shower. Principal Lu learnt from the example of Jesus the humble king and carried Jesus’ yoke, humbled herself and demonstrated humble service.
III. The king who submitted to God
A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Majority of the crowd are not residents of Jerusalem; they went there from other towns to celebrate a festival. Perhaps, some of them have seen the miracles of Jesus in Galilee in healing the lame and the blind; perhaps some of them have been full from eating of the five loaves and two fishes; perhaps Jesus resurrected Lazarus and left a deep impression on them. They received him warmly with cheers and waved branches from palm trees, but did not recognize who Jesus was. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matthew 21:10-11) They did not truly recognize who Jesus was.
Did Jesus’ disciples truly recognize him? Even some of his disciples had expected Jesus to lead them in overthrowing the Roman rule and establish the kingdom of Israel, becoming a political king. When Jesus foretold his death for the third time, his disciples who are brothers James and John requested that they be given a seat on the left and right of Jesus when he becomes king. As you can see, his disciples did not completely understand Jesus’ mission. Jesus is to be king indeed, but he is to be a king who suffers. Hence, Jesus uses the action of riding on a donkey to express that he has no intention of overthrowing the Roman empire and his mission is not to be a political king.
2. Jesus the king that obeys God
In the gospel of Matthew, before Jesus enters Jerusalem, he foretold his death for the third time (16:21-27, 17:22, 20:17-19). The first time happened when Peter proclaimed him as Christ God’s son. The second happened when Jesus led Peter, James and John to a high mountain and after the transfiguration. The third time was when he was getting ready to enter Jerusalem. This tells us that Jesus is very clear that when he enters Jerusalem, he was going to face trials. This king who rides a donkey knows that as God’s servant, he must obey God’s leading.
The king who rides a donkey into the city is a king who suffers and this action scene is ironical to kings who ride on strong horses and kings of this world who depend on power and might to conquer others. Jesus the king who suffers has only one goal, which is to obey God’s commands. Jesus says, “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (20:26-28) Jesus obeyed and carried out God’s commands, he worked hard to spread the good news of God’s kingdom, and even when he had to offend those in power, he was unafraid. He foretold of his death three times because he was very certain that the result of not compromising is possibly death. However to him, obeying God’s commands is greater than anything else, and even though his life might be in danger, he pressed forward.
For example, the situation that Miss Ann Armstrong Livingston, Sabine E. Mackintosh and S. Gladys Cullen experienced in Singapore. During the second World War, three female missionaries that England sent to Taiwan had to leave and transferred to Singapore to share the gospel. A year later as the war spread to Singapore, their home church sent a telegram to inform them to leave. It’s unknown why the telegram arrived a month late. They left Singapore in a boat in a hurry but was caught by the Japanese navy in the sea. In the following two years or so, they lost contact with their families and nobody knew whether they were alive. Later on, they found out that they were imprisoned in a central camp where Ann and Sabine died from malnutrition in an environment where they lost their freedom. When the second world war ended, only Gladys returned home safely. These are people who followed Jesus, giving themselves as an offering to become missionaries in a foreign land to spread the gospel. The obeyed God’s leading and did not back out despite environmental danger, to the point of sacrificing their lives. They followed the example of Jesus and obeyed God in all circumstances.
IV. Conclusion
Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week or Passion Week and in today’s scripture passage we can see that Jesus uses one scene of an action movie when entering the holy city of Jerusalem to show that he is the Prince of Peace, the humble king, and a king who submits to God. To us, our hearts is like Jerusalem, which is where we meet with God. Look! Our king wants to enter our hearts. Please let us reconsider, what kind of king do you want to receive? Is it a king who rides on a strong horse, or one who rides on a donkey? Is it a king of this world who rules by power and wealth, or one who sacrifices himself, is humble and obeys God?
Jesus invites us, all who are weary and burdened to come to him. Jesus invites us to carry his yoke and learn from his example that no matter what circumstances we are in, to obey God. Are you willing to accept his invitation? Are you willing to receive this king who rides on a donkey?