The road to triumph and treachery.

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“As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

“Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
    Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”

But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”

He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”
Luke 19:36-40 New Living Translation

As Jesus rode the donkey, there were many people lining the dusty road who praised Him as their King. They may not have fully understood what that meant, since they were looking for a new earthly kingdom, but they knew that He had healed them, accepted them, and forgave them. Jesus knew this moment was brief, for He knew of the fate that awaited Him and of the plot that was unfolding at that moment—the plot to execute Him.

It would be hard for me to travel down that road and not think of my fate. I would be grateful for the outpouring of love and support. I would want to enjoy the cheers of my followers, those who believed in and supported me. But it would be difficult to do that knowing that very soon I would be led down another road where I didn’t wish to go—the most difficult road that ends my life.

Honor Jesus as your King this day. Tomorrow the cheers and praises for Jesus will all be gone, and the road to His suffering and death begins.

Copyright text and photo Desiree Bustamante