The biblical story tells us that before being crucified, Jesus triumphally entered Jerusalem, riding on a small donkey as mean of transportation. The donkey carried him while the crowd opened the way to cheer Jesus, and acclaim him while shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!”
I heard someone jokingly say that the little donkey facing all the cheers from such a large vibrating crowd immediately inflated his chest and walked very proudly believing that the applause was for himself. We laugh trying to imagine such a scene. How could the donkey think like that? But the fact is that without realizing how ridiculous it can be, the same happens with us.
As disciples of Jesus, we have the privilege to carry the message from our Saviour to other people. Sometimes this task puts us in position of honour, as people applaud us for the magnitude of the content that we deliver. Facing this acclamation, as happened with the donkey, we may feel tempted to think that the applause is for ourselves.
Our church, the Salvation Army, receives many flattering remarks. Society usually praises our network of social work, and our emergency relief actions in times of need. However, we must recognize that if we do any good deed, we do it because we are carrying Jesus Christ, who is the one who truly grants fullness of life to people.
It is important to recognize that we are only vessels transporting the message of salvation, and although that has significant value, the most important is the One who we are carrying, and the applause is exclusively for Him.
Maybe the best teaching about this topic comes from John the Baptist. The crowd was very impressed with his ministry and wanted to acclaim him, but referring himself to Jesus in a very sober way, he told the audience: “he must become greater; I must become less”. May we recognize our place as servants of Christ. “Hosanna to the Son of David!”
· Were you ever tempted to receive the applause that was meant for Jesus?
· How and when do you take Jesus to the people?
(Jesus’ triumphant entry, Matthew 21:5 / John the Baptist’s answer, John 3:30)
Amen. Let the applause be directed to Him, our Lord. People like praise and this leads to jealousy, hate and competition. Jesus Christ must become greater, I must become less. Remembering that greatest is He that is in us than the one who is in the world.