This passage from the Gospel of Luke reminds me of one of my favourite Palm/Passion Sunday hymns: “A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth,” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, #340). It was written by the 17th century Lutheran pastor, theologian and hymn-writer, Paul Gerhardt. One of the hymn’s themes is that Jesus willingly went to die for the sins of humankind.
The words “he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem,” (Luke 19:28) imply progress, a moving forward. Jesus is determined to carry out God’s will. The words “on ahead” then have spiritual significance. Jesus is going on ahead toward the saving work of suffering, death and resurrection—winning the victory over sin, death and evil.
Jesus, prior to arriving in Jerusalem, gave two disciples a mission to go ahead and fetch a donkey. They succeeded in that mission. We, too, like to go on ahead and make progress in life. What mission does Jesus give you, your faith community, the whole church the go-ahead with? Because of the saving work Jesus accomplished for us, by God’s grace, we, too, can succeed in our mission of loving God and neighbour.
Thank you, Jesus, for going ahead to Jerusalem to atone for the sins of humankind. Help us to go ahead and carry out our mission. Amen. —