A jigsaw puzzle

They brought the donkey to Jesus, threw their cloaks over it, and Jesus got on. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches on the farmland nearby and spread them on the road. The people who were in front and those who followed behind began to shout, ‘Praise God! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the coming kingdom of King David, our father! Praise God!’  (verses 7-10)

Read Mark 11:1-11

Jigsaws can be frustrating. There may be no colour contrast and we search and search for the right piece. It’s even more frustrating if we discover that our model picture doesn’t match the picture that is slowly being built up piece by piece; we have been given a misleading picture.

Jesus’ disciples must have felt a similar frustration. They had been given a picture of the promised king by their religious teachers. But the picture the religious teachers provided did not match the picture of the promised king Jesus spoke of. He said the promised king would suffer and die. That piece did not fit the model at all.

However, today’s picture of the promised king fits much better. We have a crowd, we have recognition of Jesus as king. The king is acclaimed. But no coronation follows at the end of the day. The ‘coronation’ was a few days away – when Jesus would be crowned with thorns and crucified. More important pieces had to be put in place to fill out the picture of the promised king. What a beautiful picture was emerging. What the disciples saw inspired joy and praise.

Whatever stage your picture of Jesus the king may have reached, may it inspire joy and move you to praise him.

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be honour, glory and might, for ever and ever. Amen.

by Ray Schulz, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)

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