Jesus Defines What Being "The Man" Is All About

"Today's Devotion" For October 10, 2005

Read: Matthew 21:1-11; Zechariah 9:9-13

JESUS DEFINES WHAT BEING "THE MAN" IS ALL ABOUT

"'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'" (Mt. 21:5)

A recent commercial for a well-known cell phone service provider shows a distinguished gentleman at a desk in a "corner office." He's obviously a person of importance. A younger man asks him about the new cell phone and the older man talks about the great service and unlimited calling minutes he gets with this new service. He finishes his monologue by stating he's now able to "put one over on the Man." The young man responds somewhat quizzically, "But, Sir, aren't you the Man?" The older man looks at him and says, "Yes, and I may want to stick it to myself."

"Sticking it to the Man" has a ring to it in 21st century America. While the United States can still be described as a "nation of immigrants," immigrants aren't arriving because they're trying to escape despotic kings or seek freedom of religion. America in the 21st Century no more understands the true meaning of what royalty is than the "Man in the Moon." Over the past century those who immigrated to the United States weren't fleeing from despotic kings and religious oppression as they had in the past. Many are coming to our shores because they want to escape from authoritarian dictatorships and economic deprivation. Yet, the idea of "The Man" still resonates, for "The Man" fits anyone who seems to have control over another's life and future. The challenge of this designation, however, is that it can be applied to someone with power, prestige, privilege, or wealth who is benevolent and absolutely committed to another's welfare, and it can be applied pejoratively to someone with all the aforementioned power who wishes to control and otherwise dominate the lives of others.

Matthew quotes from the Old Testament when he describes Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Regardless of changed circumstances and understanding of royalty, there's no doubt that Jesus is someone of great importance. As a king he carries with Him the ultimate power and authority that a king in His day would have over the lives of others. Matthew's description of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey hardly impresses on anyone a picture of ultimate power and authority, or even someone of great importance. Yet, the people to whom Matthew was writing understood the reference and appreciated the truth that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, who was to come into the world. While Israel was looking for a king to restore the power of Israel and David's throne, the prophets, such as Zechariah, painted a whole different picture of "The Man." He was to be a humble servant, rather than a dominating power. His power and authority arose, not from His position, but from Who He is - the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Matthew makes this power of Jesus clear when He notes that Jesus told the disciples that if they were questioned about their taking of the donkey they should just simply answer, "The Lord has need of it."

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey is hardly the picture of "power and authority" that human beings have come to expect from those with "power and authority." His willingness to humble Himself and become a human being is further shown by His willingness to put aside His almighty power and humbly go the way of the Cross. He doesn't come in royal robes, a royal procession, led by motorcades, pomp and circumstance, and all the other fanfare a king or dictator could command. No, instead He comes as a humble human being, to be the Savior of the world from Sin, Death, and Satan as He took the burden of the world's sinfulness upon Himself. If you ever want to see what it really means to be "The Man" look no further than Jesus. He is truly "The Man" who walks with us every step of the way through our lives giving us, by the power of His Word and Spirit, the strength of faith and the comfort of His love so that we might live in Him and for Him until He comes again. Now that's what being "The Man" is all about.

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I praise and thank You for coming to this world, humbling Yourself and taking on human form, so that, by true obedience to the Father, You could save me from my sins. Help me to live as a truly penitent and forgiven sinner, looking to You as "The Man" whom I honor, adore, and love. Your almighty power sustains me in my life and Your unlimited compassion comforts me in my distress. Give me strength to live each day according to the Father's Will, and to be a strong witness of Your love, grace and mercy to others. Hear me, Lord, for Your name's sake. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.