In the crowd this day all those centuries ago, there were lots of different people with lots of different expectations. There was the religious crowd. They were celebrating Passover . . . a feast that celebrates God's power to deliver His people from oppression.

There were also people who had just seen Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. They were obviously waiting for the next big miracle. Still others were merely curious onlookers who had doubtlessly heard rumors about this Jesus.

My strong sense is that there were others who were desperate . . . sick of this world and sick of themselves. Sinners don't sin because they want the consequences. They sin because they are trying to meet a need in an unlawful way.

Finally, there was the crowd that exists in any big city . . . The nameless horde with nondescript faces . . . a sea of humanity, just waiting for something or someone to improve their miserable lot in life.

The recent controversy surrounding Mel Gibson's movie is proof that there are still the same groups today. There is:

• The religious crowd,
• The political crowd,
• the self-seeking crowd,
• the wounded crowd,
• and the clued out crowd . . .

all waiting to see what this Jesus can do for them.

I think I could fit in any of these groups. I have my share of religion. I can be political and certainly I am clued out most of the time. But I think I would fit best with the broken people who are desperate for reality. Desperate for forgiveness and restoration . . . desperate for relationships to be restored with the God who made us.

Which one are you?