From their beginning, the Israelites sought a leader who would unite the people, lead them into the promised land, and it would be through him, that they would be led into peace and prosperity. Whenever times would be difficult or hardships befall them, they would turn to this leader to save them. When the heir to Moses seemed to fail them, they turned to the Judges; when they failed, the people called out for a King. And when the kings failed, they looked to the Son of David, who would sit on his father’s throne forever; through him there would be such peace in the land that the babe would play next to the adder’s den; people from all nations would come to listen to his wisdom; and the people would not only be saved in this life, but he would be such a king that they too would live forever.
This is one story of salvation. And we can imagine that God would save His people this way. He would reign on earth as He reigns in Heaven so that we would live like the angels. It is a form of salvation that pours off the robes of the Creator and King of the Universe. He would come, and by His shield, we would be saved from all temptations and outside enemies. This is the salvation that the men and women of Israel sought, and even what they believed the Prophets had described to them. But this was not the salvation that God desired to give, nor was it the salvation that Jesus came to show us.
Jesus entered Jerusalem to the applause and accolades of such a king. Many who had seen his miracles, heard his teachings against the Pharisees and knew the prophecies, had no doubts that the Son of David had arrived and would lead them to freedom from the Romans and an eternal peace. This is what Judas, and even Simon likely believed. It is why Simon drew his sword in the garden.
True salvation does not come this way. It cannot come through such a king. God does not desire a salvation that comes from putting up a fence around his people. Rather, He came to announce a salvation through conversion. This is the significance of his entry into Jerusalem, that our Lord rode on a donkey and went to the Temple. He showed us the way to the Father’s house.
The way that we have looked for a king, or for our salvation, is like one looking for him to come to us and build a fortress around us. Rather, He came to show us the Way to return to His house.
His desire is that we would be deemed worthy, rather than becoming worthy. Jesus came to show us God’s desire that we become worthy of such an entry. This is the conversion he announced: Salvation through the forgiveness of sins.