The Presentation

Jesus prayed before he came into Jerusalem saying the hour had come for the Son of God to be glorified. He said that if he was lifted up he would draw all men to him. The people didn’t realize what was happening on this day. They had gathered to celebrate Passover. They would set aside their sacrifices. Sunday is sacred to us because Jesus rose on Sunday. We have a living Savior and every week we’re reminded of that. We serve a living Savior who was set apart for us. As the lambs were being set aside this year, Jesus appeared for what is called The Presentation.

Jesus always came for Passover. His family came each year. Never before had he come quite like this. He had taken this route many times over the years because it was there that his friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived. He’d also come for the other feasts that were celebrated. This day it was different from all the others. It wasn’t announced that the King of Glory was coming. He had walked in at other times. This time he rose sidesaddle on a donkey. The people saw him and could have taken the sight a couple of different ways.  Maybe Jesus needed to rest so he rode the donkey. Or they could take it as it was meant to be–the fulfilment of the prophecy of the presentation of the Messiah.

The world hardly recognizes that today is different. The particular day 2,000 years ago won’t happen again but God does keep presenting Jesus to us. He is in no obligation to do that.

Luke 19:37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

It was the Sunday of the coming Passover week. The year-old lambs were set aside, one for each family, to be killed later in the week. In the midst of this Jesus came sitting on a donkey. His disciples were with him. As they topped the hill the people took notice. Something was different.  Oh, that we could sense and feel the presence of the Lord as they did that day. The cup of wrath is about ready to be poured out on this world. It’s easy for us to see that. As close as we know judgment to be, Jesus is closer to us than that. He’s being presented one more time today. The Bible says now is the accepted time; today is the day of salvation.

Years before the prophet Zechariah said the king was coming riding on a donkey. It wouldn’t be with great array. I don’t know how many put two and two together that day. Many nations were present. They probably questioned what they saw because they expected it to happen some other way. The push of society is to be noticed and have your name in lights. Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are full of videos of people promoting themselves trying to get followers. I don’t even like the sound of being followed. I heard on the news the other day that an old woman was attacked on a NY subway. Many saw it but no one helped her. They did pull out their phones and record it and upload it. That’s how the police found out about it. Jesus is not a celebrity. He is who he is. He won’t evolve or modernize for us. He came just as God wanted, in a old garment, dirty feet, no gold chains. He wasn’t looking for an academy award. He wasn’t a politician. He’s not a Democrat or Republican. He’s not an American. His nativity is from Israel and God help us if we don’t stand with Israel. He is the Son of the Living God and the judge of heaven and earth. He was presented by God Almighty as the only hope, the only Messiah.

The world needs THE Messiah–Jesus– not a messiah. People are looking for a messiah. There is no messiah in Buddhism, Islam, or Hinduism. There is only one Messiah and he is the Son of God. What he did on the cross enabled us to be provided with salvation. Anyone who is saved is only saved because he or she believes in this Jesus. We don’t have a religion. We have salvation.

Jesus was presented as a lamb without spot. I can see some trying to get rid of a sick lamb by slipping it in as the sacrifice. I see some trying to slip into heaven other ways. We can’t slip in anything. Jesus is the Lamb of God given by God, innocent and spotless. I don’t comment on other religions with any self-righteousness. I have sinned too. I fear for the souls of those who believe these false religions and not in Jesus.

Jesus, to the death, gave himself so we could be saved. There is ONE Lord and ONE God. Jesus came in the womb of a virgin and was born of that virgin. He was the seed of man but the ONLY begotten Son of God. All other religious leaders were born of men. Their bones are buried somewhere. The Lord of Glory came, the Messiah of the world. It doesn’t matter what you lose for the sake of God. He is KING. He gives us a place in his eternal kingdom. What more could we ask for?

There was no pomp, no parade. He came lowly, simply, straightforwardly. What we see is what we get and that’s all we need. He doesn’t need to be dressup up. Take Jesus as he is because he takes us just as we are. He’s real. If people could hear Buddha and Muhammad today they’d tell them to run to Jesus. He’s real and alive forevermore. Jesus works. He’s the only believable Savior. What? A lowly, poor man? Absolutely! Who else will we turn to?

Jesus didn’t come to enter capitol hill. He came to save us from our sin and take us to a place of perfection forever. I’m going to believe him. He’s the only one to believe. We follow him. There is just one way.

It was the day of their visitation. The Messiah, the King of Glory, visited and was presented as Savior. It’s time for you to get on board. Reach for his nail scarred hand. Hold him close. Never run or flee from his presence. He is here today. While he is visiting, take action and follow him. Then you can sing as they did that day. Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.