The Big Picture

The story of the blind men and the elephant is a good learning for any one who wants to look at "the big picture" in various circumstances of life. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and they asked, "Who is this?" (Matthew 21:10) This has also been the question asked by people through the generations in different contexts in different periods of time. I am attempting here, therefore to look at the big picture of Jesus from the story of the triumphal entry of Jesus.

Jesus- the Greatest Prophet

To the question, "Who is this?" the crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee" (Matthew 21:11). Was Jesus then, merely a prophet? Not only Jesus, there were prophets even in the Old Testament who told the truth of the past, the present and the future of individuals and communities.The Samaritan woman was astonished when Jesus pointed out her past and the present. She identified Jesus as a prophet (John 4:19). Some even said later that Jesus was Elijah the prophet.  And still others claimed, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago."(Mark 6:15) Hebrews 3:3, however says that Jesus was more than a prophet , even more than Moses.

 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” So to me, Jesus is the greatest prophet of all, who can not only tell about my life but can transform my life! He did that to the Samaritan woman! He did that to me!

Jesus-the King of Kings

Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem in a donkey.  The people took palm branches and went out to meet Jesus, shouting, "Hosanna! " "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!" (John 12:13). Such a welcome was usually given to a king who returned back to  his country after a victory in a war in those days. The kingdom of Israel was then a remnant community spared from exile. They were ruled by Romans. In their despair they wanted Jesus to be a king who would dethrone the Roman rule and liberate them from their oppression from the Romans.

Even today some people want Jesus to be their king, who would deliver them from bondage of sickness, poverty, oppression and so on. How did Jesus react when people wanted him to be king? Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself (John 6:15). Jesus did not prefer a crown of gold but he preferred a crown of thorns.  The good news is: Jesus took the death on the cross to die for our sins. He rose on the third day as a winner of the power of sin in one’s life (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). So to me, Jesus is king of kings who can deliver me from my sinful oppression, which no one else can do!

Jesus-More than a Miracle-worker

The third response of the crowd is seen in Luke 19:37. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they received from him. (food miracles, healing miracles, resurrection miracles and so on)  This is so true even today that people choose Jesus for their daily livelihood needs like food and physical healing.  Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.  Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." (John 6:26-27)

Jesus was the bread broken for us on the cross. He is the bread of life. Jesus still works miracles of all kinds for his glory.  However to me Jesus is more than a mere miracle-worker of physical needs. He works on my spiritual needs leading me to eternal happiness, which he only can do. Physical miracles may or may not happen. But the greatest of all miracles is the salvation of a soul which is guaranteed when an individual calls out to Jesus.

Zechariah in chapter 9 verse 9 prophesied rightly about the ride Jesus took on the streets of Jerusalem well ahead of time as a SAVIOR- KING: “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” I am reminded of the whole picture of Jesus whenever I read about the triumphal entry of Jesus in the Bible. Jesus is more than any historical King. He is more than any historical prophet. He is more than any historical miracle worker. Because it is only Jesus who can heal me from my guilt of sins, can give me hope for this world and the world to come! No one else! He only is the sum total of all to me! Who is Jesus for you?