Week 26 (23 - 29 June): A Humble King, A Just Judge, and an Urgent Invitation

We gathered last Saturday just after a few of our members returned from a mission trip to Cambodia. They shared how deeply they were moved, not just by the poverty or the needs they saw, but by the joy and perseverance of the full-time missionaries living there. These missionaries didn’t have much, but they were filled with peace and purpose. Their stories reminded us of what it means to live for something bigger than ourselves. That naturally led us into our Bible reflection from Matthew 21:1-17, a passage that reveals who Jesus is, how people respond to Him, and how we should respond in turn.

1. Jesus’ Servant Leadership – He didn’t come with a show; He came with a purpose.

Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. Not a warhorse. Not with fanfare. He came humbly, fulfilling prophecy, showing the kind of King He is, one who serves, not one who dominates. He knew what was waiting for Him: betrayal, rejection, and death. Yet, He still moved forward. That’s leadership rooted in love, not ego. And it challenges us to ask: do we follow Jesus because He gives us what we want, or because He is worthy, even when the road is hard?

2. Jesus’ Righteous Anger for the Right Reasons

Once inside the temple, Jesus didn’t stay quiet. He flipped the tables. Drove out the sellers. Why? Because people had turned worship into a business, blocking the poor and the broken from even entering the temple. His anger was righteous; it wasn’t about being offended; it was about defending what is holy. But notice what He did right after: He healed the blind and the lame. The people the temple system had pushed aside were now the ones He welcomed first.

That’s Jesus, tough when He needs to be but always tender with the hurting.

3. The Crowd Wanted a Savior, But on Their Terms

When Jesus rode in, the crowds shouted, “Hosanna! Son of David!” They thought He was going to overthrow the Romans and fix everything. But just a few days later, those same voices shouted, “Crucify Him.” Why? Because He didn’t meet their expectations. He didn’t come to deliver them from Rome; He came to deliver them from sin. It wasn’t the rescue they asked for, but it was the one they desperately needed.

We’re not so different, are we? It’s easy to follow Jesus when He gives us blessings. But what about when He asks for our trust, even when things don’t go our way?

4. This Story Is Still Unfolding, And Time Matters

There’s something sobering about this whole passage. Jesus came into Jerusalem on a donkey, gentle and approachable, offering peace. But Scripture tells us He will come again—next time, on a white horse, as Judge and King (Revelation 19). That second coming will be very different.

Right now, we are still living in the time of grace. The door is open, but it won’t be open forever. That’s why the call to share the gospel isn’t something we can keep pushing aside. There’s urgency. The people around us, our friends, our families, need to know the Jesus who came humbly, who died for them, and who will one day return.

What Do We Do with This?

Romans 5:8 reminds us:“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (NKJV)

Jesus didn’t wait for us to get our act together. He came for us at our worst. He still does.

So what now?

• Share the good news. Start with someone. You probably already have someone in mind who needs to hear the gospel. Don’t overthink it. Start the conversation.

• Live like Jesus. With humility. With conviction. With compassion.

• Don’t wait. The same King who came riding on a donkey will one day return. We don’t know when. But we do know we need to be ready and help others be ready too.

Jesus gave everything for us. Let’s not hold back in living for Him.

With Love,

Melody and Team from Belimbing