Text - John 12:13
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna!
The scene is Jerusalem. Jesus is about to engage in the ‘triumphant entry’. He sends his disciples to bring a colt which he rides on. As he moves into the city, the people come out spreading palm leaves and clothes on the road for him to ride on. And they shout Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna! Its a festival and the Pharisees are indignant.
Beautiful scene yeah? But in 5 days the same man would be brutally killed in the worst way - crucifixion on a cross by Roman soldiers - the same Romans the people expected him to save them from. On Palm Sunday, the people celebrated Jesus because they expected him to conquer the Romans who held them captive. They had seen his miracles and now anticipated the final showdown. Hosanna means Save Us.
What they didn’t get and we too almost everyday is that God knows what we need most. Jesus knew they needed saving from their sin ultimately and we too and that was his mission!
I’m going to change the tune a bit now and ask a question.
How many times have you gone from praising God to complaining and being angry because he failed to satisfy some desire? Have you moved from worship to crucifixion in a matter of days? Will you remember that Gods purposes are always better and his vision farther than yours?
Happy Palm Sunday. This week we reflect on the defining week of History and Worship the KING!
Here’s a song for you as we start this week - Tonight by Flame