It was the mid-60s and I was nearly 7 when the Beatles took the USA by storm. At the time, at home, we didn’t listen to music. We only watched TV shows and my parents listened to their local radio station. One day, I was with my mom across the hall visiting my aunt when my cousin, Rosin, excitedly exclaimed, “Look, those are the guys I’m saying!” I saw crowds of screaming girls, and cops trying to control them. There were mobs everywhere! It was chaotic! At Shea Stadium, there were people everywhere-some screaming, others fainting. All for four young guys strumming at their hearts and stealing their tears and emotions! They stirred crowds everywhere they went. The world was changing.
Two thousand years earlier, there was a similar invasion. This one was not by a fabulous-four group, but by thirteen men. Twelve were the assistants of the One leading the group. While radical, they didn’t wear mullets or torn jeans, or fanciful gear with brand names, etc. Their “ride” wasn’t the latest model on four wheels. If there were four, it would have been legs; as in horses or mules. Mostly, they only relied on their two legs & fishing boats for traveling.
The leader, Jesus, was the most radical man ever to walk this earth. Be not misled, Jesus was the biggest sensation ever to walk the earth! He healed the sick, He healed the crippled, He raised the dead, He restored sight. He even forgave sin (Matthew 9:2). While God gave the Jews the written law to live by, they added their own additional rules, to spiff it up a bit. Since they obeyed and kept most of them, they made sure everyone else followed it to the letter. They were so strict, no one, not even the giver of the law, Jesus, could fulfill it-according to them. The very God who created the entire world, was ousted by the religious leaders from the temple, the streets, villages, and the face of the earth.
On a day like tomorrow, Jesus led a small march through Jerusalem on a donkey. As He passed by, the people shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is the King that Comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Mat.21:9). People waved palms and laid their garments on the ground for Him to pass on. AS usual, the religious leaders tried “raining on His parade.” They became indignant and scolded Him for allowing the children to praise Him. This event, known as the Triumphal Entry, was the beginning of His last week on earth; Holy Week. It was like a concert. Though there was no singing, a great gathering of people was there.
I don’t know how many flyers were printed and posted. Don’t know which of the disciples ran it in the local newspaper, what radio stations aired it, or who dropped it off at the local TV network for commercials. Maybe the “Sons of Thunder” tweeted it, and Simon may have posted it on social media. We do know, He drew crowds. His, was a sold-out event!
Instead of the Beatles or Crosby, Stills, Young, and Nash, or The Who, or the Guess Who, or any other group, Jesus and His group of twelve followers roamed the countryside, as well as Jerusalem, as in this case sharing Words of Hope and Salvation to the multitudes.
Had they had guitars, lyres, tambourines, a top-of-the-line drum set, keyboard, and maybe some timbales, wireless mics would have caused their voices to resonate off the cliffs as they praised God!
Without the fanfare, Jesus fulfilled the ancient scripture prophesy of Zechariah: “Rejoice greatly, Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). That day, Palm Sunday, was a day of great rejoicing among the people. Their redeemer was in their midst. The King of the Jews and Creator of the entire Universe walked amongst them. The Messiah had come!
Praise His Name!
Hosanna! Blessed is the King!
Sam