If the world were to announce the arrival of the greatest king of all time, I would expect something as spectacular and exciting as when “Prince Ali” showed up in the movie Aladdin. You would hear incredible music, loud and exciting: “Make way for Prince Ali!” In the movie, Aladdin isn’t actually a prince, but he used a genie’s wish to appear like one. The crowds of people believed in his royalty because of the “75 golden camels… exotic-type mammals… ten thousand servants and flunkies, they bow to his whim, love serving him, they’re just lousy with loyalty to Ali.”
The big song and dance number features elephants, monkeys, a band, cooks, birds, and lots of gold. They’re told, “You’re gonna love this guy! Famous he, Ali Ababwa.” Some are told to drop “down on one knee.” He described as “Strong as ten regular men” with great feats like “Faced the galloping hordes. A hundred bad guys with swords. Who sent those goons to their lords? Why, Prince Ali” Physically, Prince Ali is spoken of as “handsome” with great “physique” that people would want to “adjust your veil and prepare to gawk and grovel and stare at Prince Ali.”
I watched this scene with my primary-aged daughters last night. They had big smiles on their faces and enjoyed it. I asked them to describe what it was like to watch. They said things like “fun” and “happy.”
Then we watched this clip of the Savior Jesus Christ and His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Surely there was no greater moment to celebrate the arrival of a king! This was the King of Kings! The ruler of all men. The Savior of the world. If there was ever a time to celebrate and do a big song and dance, surely this was time! But he didn’t ride in on an elephant. He didn’t even ride in on a magnificent horse. He rode in meekly on a donkey. There was no large display of armies, riches, or possessions. Those were things Prince Ali did to convince others of his royal heritage. People knew who Jesus was from the Spirit that they felt in their hearts. “For flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17) He wasn’t described of as Handsome and great physique, rather Isaiah said that “he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2)
“And yet a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest” (Matthew 21:8-9)
After we watched this the Savior’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, I again asked my daughters to tell me to describe to me what it was like to watch. This time they said things like “I felt the spirit” and “I felt peace.” A sweet peace was indeed there and it was quite the contrast to watching Aladdin! I bore my testimony that I knew that this Jesus, is the Christ. He has indeed come to be our king! He did come and make salvation possible for each of us. Let us “make way” and “clear the way” for when He comes again.
