“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is often used to describe not only the Christmas season but also March Madness – the NCAA Basketball Tournament Season. Before I lose all my sports-averse readers, I will say that you do not have to participate in this particular basketball obsession to go along on my mind train.

We all have teams, bands, groups, restaurants, clubs, or even political parties that we consider ourselves fans of or identify as being part of. Being counted among those enamored loyalists, we tout them, sport their colors or logos on everything from pet paraphernalia to automobile decor, defend them to the hilt, and may even sing their fight songs or jingles. We have a certain pride in being part of the tribe.

This associative identity that we have with our “people” gives us something to get behind and cheer for – that is until the house that we have tethered ourselves to performs below the bar that we have set for them. Then, on a dime, we turn. March Madness has brought this to the forefront for me as I have watched the most loyal supporters begin to bash their bracket buster as their team begins to go down in flames in a tournament game. At the risk of self-incrimination, I have seen (certainly not participated in) yelling at the beloved team, players, and coaches. I have witnessed (never carried out) throwing things in frustration. I have heard (of course never verbalized) language befitting an ill-reputed pool hall. All directed toward the teams we claim to “love”!

I’ll bet that those hard-working, well-trained, front-line athletes, performers, or workers on the receiving end of jeers from the crowd can relate, albeit in a minutely small way, to the way our Savior felt as He proceeded through Holy Week. He went into this most arduous week of His human life high on His game. His followers were so excited to be associated with Him that they were almost in a frenzy as He rode into Jerusalem. Not only had He offered them participation in a kingdom that was not of this world, but He also had done miracles and defied nature with His commands such as calming storms and bringing the dead to life. Jesus’s entry consisted of cheers and adulation from His adoring followers. They waved palm branches, a symbol of victory, and laid their coats on the ground for He and the donkey colt He was riding to pass over. They cried “Hosanna!”, which means, “Save us!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Mark 11:9-10, Matthew 21:9, Luke 19:38, John 12:13)

This was an entry befitting a king. A king who they thought was going to overthrow Rome and set them free from the oppression they were experiencing.

Then came disillusionment for those who had such high hopes for Jesus’s coming to town. Instead of kicking butt and taking names as the crowd hoped He would do, He was arrested on trumped-up charges. Rather than fight, He remained silent. The crowd was disappointed and furious. When Pilate offered the crowd the chance to have Jesus released, many who were in the same crowd that had hailed Him as their hero just 5 days prior, this time raised their fists in anger as they yelled “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” (Matthew 27:16-26, Mark 15:7-15, Luke 23:18-26, John 18:38-40,19:14-16). They turned on Him because things did not turn out the way they thought they should.

But how they misunderstood Jesus! He INDEED came to save and set them, and us, FREE! Which He accomplished despite their disloyalty.

I’m sure our earthly associations would appreciate truer loyalty, even when victory is elusive. Comparatively, loyalty to our Savior brings true victory. In the short term, we have unconditional love and hope. And when this game of life is over, we receive the victor’s crown that will not fade away! No more struggle and strife. He wipes away our tears. No more death. Only life, and peace, and joy – forever. May we never misunderstand the saving freedom we have through Jesus Christ.