Mark 11:11
And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
I really try not to talk about football because not all of you care, but the word for the Super Bowl was “anticlimactic”. A great game fizzled in the end. Vicki and I were in Philadelphia and we saw the reaction. People just silently walking home. I say that because it seems to have happened on the first Palm Sunday. Jesus rode into Jerusalem to shouts of “Hosanna, Son of David!” Then he went into the temple courts, the crowd fizzled, the hour was late, and Jesus went home.
We are famous for our short attention spans these days. We read small social media posts, not books. We watch 22 minute episodes, not full length movies. That Palm Sunday shows us the ancients were no different. There was a magnificent event as the King of kings rode in victory. Then everyone went home. The difference is that there was no anticlimax in this story. Keep reading to see what happens at the end of the game. It was not over when Jesus entered Jerusalem. It was over when he exited the tomb. You may feel this morning that the game is over. This nation is in peril from internal rot. Division is destroying relationships. Hope is fading fast but not for those who know how this game ends. When Jesus exited earth to sit on the throne, he promised to enter again. Let us shout Hosanna!
Dear Lord, thank you that we know who wins and you are the victorious conqueror over sin, death, and the world. Help us to remember that today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.