Luke 19:28-40
The month of march signifies the beginning of the spring season. A time when the first flowers begin to bloom and the temperature typically begins its upward climb preparing for summer. A time when we begin to plant our gardens in the hope that our vegetables will perform well to supply our family. All of these things are great but there is something else that millions of us look forward to in March. March Madness! The NCAA Tournament takes center stage in my household. Go Jayhawks!
For the college fans whose teams make the tourney, it is a time of excitement filled with up and downs. Bated breath on every made and missed shot. The air is filled with anticipation. But it’s not just about our own teams that we hope to win but all the Cinderella stories, the last second shots and buzzer beaters, watching the unknown teams take on the Goliaths, the brackets we share with our friends and families for the bragging rights of who picked the winners the best. For us basketball fans, this is our favorite time of the year.
As I was thinking about March madness this year it dawned on me about another march over 2,000 years ago. As Christians, we are coming up on our most important celebration and time of remembrance. At the beginning of April our Savior died on the cross and rose again on the third day. It is the foundation that we put our hope in, that He is Alive! Easter is a great time, but have you ever stopped to consider what Jesus’ march must have been like?
The March just before Good Friday and Easter morning must have been filled with all kinds of emotions. Knowing that He would soon have to face the cross. Consider all that occurs like what is shown in our title verses. The triumphal entry must have been such a sight to see. With eager expectation the people watched for Jesus to ride by on the donkey, shouting Hosanna as he passed. Can you hear the shouts of the people? I bet it would have rivaled any arena we would experience today. At the end of march, He also has the Last Supper with His disciples. For us, this type of march would have made any of us mad.
Jesus’ “March Madness” was one that only He truly understood. He could have backed out at any point leading up to April. The anticipation of what was to occur was one that no one, not even his disciples could grasp or dare imagine. His March was the precursor to death facing the ultimate showdown. Christ would defeat it or we as a human race would be doomed forever.
Interestingly, the final for the NCAA tournament is always held at the beginning of April. For you and I as Christians, the final game to end all others was also held at the beginning of April. The difference being that it would never have to play out again because Christ won for all time. Despite the madness of march, Jesus never relented and faced the final in April like a champ. And now we can have the Champion as our all-time winner if only we will accept Him.
As you go through this year’s march, whether a fan of basketball or not, consider the march madness that Christ must have endured. Be in awe, knowing what was to come, as He continued to move forward. The up and downs of that month that lead to the cross. Puts “March Madness” in a whole different perspective, doesn’t it?
Well said.