A day late, but nevertheless a thought that will, I hope carry you through the week, Holy Week.As Jesus was riding a colt down a roadway, surrounded by enemies and friends alike, what do you think his emotional state might have been? While we call to mind Christ the King, how about Jesus the man, most likely frightened ... just as he would be in the agony in the garden?
Think of one of those frightening moments in your life ... the most scary event that you can recall. I recall well and will never forget a time when I was fighting a fire with Scranton (PA) firefighters and the floor gave way over a roaring inferno below us. Obviously I made an escape with two other firefighters. But in that moment it was almost a moment of freezing. Remember Jesus was man at this point. He could not be one moment all knowing God and then human man in the next.
He accepted the role of man for the Father so as to guarantee our freedom from sin and punishment for our sinfulness. Imagine Jesus riding along, probably smiling and waving but knowing from his understanding of OT readings he had studied and learned as a young man that the Messiah, whoever he would be, could expect a very painful ending to his life. Again, all for me and you.
