“Would you look at that! There’s another one! Looks scruffier than last year’s. This so-called messiah! Come to preach and free us from the Romans! Rubbish!” said the farmer, his bald-head snapping from side to side, his sandaled foot stomping the dusty road on the way toward Jerusalem.

In moments, his scorn fire-stormed other weary pilgrims who hurled more abuse upon a simple procession: A strong peasant astride the colt of an ass, his followers cheering and waving branches, hard to come by in this climate.

As the procession passed, strains of Psalm 118 sweetened the air: “Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord!”—It’s first-century Palestine, bristling with intrigue.

Yes, we’re talking about Jesus of Nazareth, a critical story portrayed in the four Gospels, with slight differences, understandably, because of the differing times and places in which they were written and the differing audiences toward whom the story of Jesus was aimed.

That toot-toot parade, that hot morning, also placed Jesus in a favorable light, in the center of Judaism, and cleaned up his miserable messiah experience—he, too, was crucified. This Jesus of Nazareth was more than another would-be messiah. His mission was unique.

Yet, many still ignore Jesus, scoff at his teachings. Only the humble of heart get it.