RESOLUTE WHEN FACING THE CROWDS (Matthew 21:1-11)

I would like to look at the One who is unaffected by the crowd. His name is Jesus of Nazareth. He marched to a different drum beat, and as a result, our whole world is different and better. What enabled Jesus to be undaunted by the crowd?

First, Jesus knew who He was and what His purpose was. He was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. He was the Messiah. He was the One of whom the prophet Zechariah had written in Zechariah 9:9, “Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Jesus entrance into Jerusalem signaled His Messiahship and His colt, which was a symbol of peace, demonstrated that He was the Prince of Peace. Do you know who you are and what purpose the Lord has for you?

Second, Jesus could accept praise without His head being turned by it and without His heart being deceived by it. He accepted the hosannas with humility. He knew those who were loyal to Him and He could tell those who were the plotters waiting for a better day. He probably most appreciated the simple trust and worship of the children. It was the children of whom Jesus said, “Of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Can you accept praise without your head being turned by it and without your heart being deceived by it?

Third, Jesus could accept abuse without being destroyed by it and He could endure pain without criticizing those who provided it. Why? Because He knew He was right. Not only did Jesus face the fickleness of the impersonal crowd, but also, the betrayal of close friends, who a few days earlier were shouting hosannas, but soon would be shouting, crucify Him. That's harder to take isn't it? Do you accept abuse without being destroyed by it? Are you able to stand up for what's right no matter what it costs? When God allows pain in your life, can you receive it without complaining?

Fourth, Jesus faithfully did His immediate job within the context of praise, abuse, indifference, and suffering. Almost one-third of His powerful teaching, which we have recorded in the four gospels, was done in the several days between Palm Sunday and Holy Thursday. Jesus did not allow Himself to be self-indulgent or throw a pity party, but remained resolute to accomplish His Father's will. Do you keep on keeping on, no matter what is thrown at you? Do you keep your eyes on the Lord no matter what your circumstances are?

Finally, Jesus saw past the hosannas to His ultimate atoning work on the cross on our behalf. He didn't allow the immediate applause or later pain to get in the way of the cross. Do we see our ultimate task and fulfill it by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit? Do we ask God, as His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, to show us the works He has prepared beforehand for us and to give us the grace to walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).

The most important question isn't, “What does the crowd think?” but “What does Jesus think?” The best way to be resolute when facing the crowd is to walk with the King and to proclaim, “Thy will be done!”