David Bahn – Reflections

When I was in high school, Bobby Kennedy visited my home town. It was quite an event. People crowded around in great number, excited to catch a glimpse of this rising star politician. Security guards and reporters surrounded him. I somehow managed to get a press pass that allowed me access to the very front of the crowd. I took a whole role of film of him that day (another story altogether). It was quite a stir!

When Jesus came to Jerusalem two very significant realities came together. First of all Jesus came to Jerusalem. Here was the temple. Here were the Jewish leaders. Here was the place where God’s promises pointed, and God’s people centered their hopes. And to Jerusalem comes Jesus. Jesus is the Son of David. He is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. He is the one who will save his people. The whole city is stirred up by his arrival.

When the place of God’s favor is visited by God’s Savior something momentous will surely happen. Here is the Good News: God’s favor does not rest only in one place; and Jesus has promised to be present with his people throughout eternity. Maybe we ought to get stirred up more often in joyful celebration of God’s presence, promises and favor. For unlike a visiting politician or even the most famous celebrity whose visit and presence creates a stir for the moment, Jesus’ visit has stirred up an eternity of blessings for all who believe in him.

Matthew 21:1-13

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,’Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”
6The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

12 And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”