And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. Matthew 21:11
The word ‘multitude’ refers to the crowd that escorted Jesus into Jerusalem, as He rode into the city on a donkey. Their cries of ‘Hosannah’ were still ringing in their ears, along with their recognition of Him as the Son of David. When the people in the city wondered who was arriving, the multitude’s response seems to be a withdrawal. Now, He is seen as just a prophet. This is interesting, because that is how most of the world views Him today. Even the leaders of so-called Christian denominations reject His deity and dismiss His crucifixion as an interesting but irrelevant incident of history. As much of the world rejects Christ’s work and claims, it becomes more and more necessary for you and me to live and speak in acceptance of Who He is and what He has done.
Was Jesus but a prophet and did He come from Nazareth? We know better. Yes, He was/is a prophet. And yes, He did live most of His earthly life in Nazareth. But He is so much more than a prophet. And long before He ever entered Nazareth’s carpenter shop, He dwelt in ivory palaces above. The humble, itinerate preacher who arrived in Jerusalem from Galilee that day was so much more than what He was recognized for. And when He returns to Jerusalem in a coming day, He will have a far more spectacular entrance than He did in Matthew chapter 21. The world does not recognize Him today. But all will recognize and bow down to Him then.
As we wait for the Lord Jesus to call us Home, we are but a rag-tag remnant who accepts Him for Who He is. He is our King and Lord, and will be forever. We have been made by the Spirit’s striving to bow heart and knee before Him, while the world’s rejection of Him grows. Will we, can we, continue to sing His praises and carry His banner day by day? Does the world’s rejection of Him affect how we live for Him? Or are we relegating Him to the position of a prophet, when He should be our Lord? -Jim MacIntosh