Humble

For decades I have driven less than adequate vehicles.  This includes my first car, a 1974 Chevy Nova coupe.  It had a mediocre but bullet proof 250 ci straight six under the hood.  That engine could run even without oil! Don’t ask how I know this.  Aside from the never ending engine, the rest of the car was a piece of trash.  The gas tank leaked, there was no power steering, no power brakes, the exhaust leaked significantly at the manifold, the drivers side door didn’t work, a headlight was out, as well as a tail light and when it was snowing outside the vehicle, it was also snow inside the vehicle…no it was not a convertible. 

I have also driven other junky cars including a Ford escort, Toyota Celica, Pontiac J2000 station wagon and a 1981 Plymouth Grand Fury. 

The Grand Fury was an old boxy car that sailed like a boat down the high way.  The exhaust had a tendency to leak up into the trunk and the back draft carried it back into the cockpit.  It was difficult to find a girl who was willing to ride in the car and on the rare occasion that one did, all I heard was complaints about the smell.  Therefore, I often found myself alone delivering pizzas on Friday nights. 

It was truly a humble automobile.  However, it did contain some invisible secrets.  The car had a powerful and snappy 318 V8 with a 4 barrel carburetor, a posi-traction rear axle and to top it off it was endowed with full racing suspension.  I must admit that my younger self took advantage of the car’s hidden horsepower at stoplights a time or two. 

On one such occasion, I found myself waiting at a red light waiting for the green to shine alongside a classic flame painted Chevy Bel Air.  I am pretty sure that I surprised my opponent when we both floored our accelerators and began racing to the merge sign. 

Imagine my pleasure when I beat him to the merging of the lanes.  I celebrated my achievement…alone…in my vehicle...which didn’t even have a working radio.

The reality is that my humble Plymouth had a power that was not visible to the outsider.  Many wouldn’t have known that car’s history as a former highway patrol car. 

I think that in some ways, this is the picture of what is happening as Jesus enters Jerusalem in a triumphal moment as found in Matthew 21:1-11.

Jesus comes at the King…the true King and yet he comes in perhaps the most humble way imaginable.  He comes gentle in spirit and riding on the foal of a donkey.

Despite the humble path that Jesus takes, he is coming in a power that no one can fathom.  His power will conquer both sin and death!

The King has come and is coming!

May we follow the humble path that he leads before us.