The king on a donkey

The king on a donkey

“Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches in the fields and spread them on the road.  The people who were in front and those who followed behind began to shout, “Praise God!  God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord!  God bless the coming kingdom of King David, our father!  Praise God.” (Mark 11: 8 – 10)

The above scripture incites us to reflect on the kingship of Jesus Christ.  What a humble king!  A king entering his capital city not in a limousine but as it were in a cheap used car.  He is followed not by a retinue of high government officials, ambassadors with the military providing marshal music but by common people.  

Is this an isolated paradox in Christ’s earthly life?  Not at all.  We have seen this paradox in his birth in a manger.  We see it during his scourging and humiliation in the court of Pilate.  Finally, the King was crucified and died between two thieves.

Clearly, Christ did not come to establish an earthly and worldly kingdom with pumps and pageantry.  His kingdom on earth is marked by simplicity and commonality.   “The manner of living is ordinary.”  This is the will of God.  This is the kingdom of God which I am committed to serve.