When Hope Rode Into Town

Jerusalem was a city without much hope. Divided by political parties, Pharisees and Sadducees; occupied by foreign forces and to boot there was so much confusion of cultural influence from the Greco-Roman world that the people of God who had remained faithful had all but lost their hope. 800 year prior, the Prophet Amos had predicted that “the fallen tent of David would be restored.” 400 years later Malachi, the last of the Old Testament Prophets had written that “the sun of righteousness would rise with healing in its wings.” Oppression, persecution, widespread poverty and a general lack of true spiritual leadership had left the hopes for the arrival of Messiah at an all time high. They were looking for a deliverer who would drive out the Roman legions and restore the Kingdom of David and with it the fortunes of Israel. However, hope was in short supply since generation after generation had passed with no sign of his arrival. But then one day, Hope came riding into town on “a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The older Testament reveals that during ceremonial processions and especially on the day of their coronation the Kings of Israel rode not on fiery steeds but upon the backs of humble donkeys. The crowd, perhaps as many a two million were in the city for the Passover, began throwing their garments onto the road leading up to the gate. And a prophetic cry of “hosanna” rose into the air. The literally translation o this cry is not one of celebration but rather a cry for help; “Lord save us.” And even though they did not realize it at the time, Jesus was riding in to delver them from something much worse that their Roman oppressors. He was coming to rescue them from sin and its awful punishment. That would truly be a reason to proclaim that indeed on that Sunday before the Passover, Hope came riding into the city. That Hope was, and still is, Jesus, the Anointed One of God.