Yesterday was Palm Sunday - the day we remember the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
"Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, "Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David! Praise God in highest heaven" (Mark 11:9-10, NLT)
We have all seen the images – Jesus riding on a lowly donkey. The crowd around Him. The palms waving as He passes by.
The people had expectations of Him which would go unmet. They wanted Him to come and
restore kingship, leadership to Israel.
His very actions were indicative this
would not be. He had not come to be the military and political leader
they were hoping to receive. No matter how big of a reception they were
to give Him, He was not going to overthrow and take political action.
Their shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” were shouts for Him to save them.
Yet they missed the point – He was not
coming to save them from their society. Instead of
salvation from their political and social oppression, He had come to
bring salvation for their souls.
The ones who stood praising and waving
palms would soon be the very ones to yell, “Crucify Him!” when they
faced disappointment in His mission.
Are we any different than the crowd that day?
We have a tendency to desire a particular outcome to
our present circumstances, rather than see the treasure which may lie
hidden in the dark times. We long for immediate relief or comfort over
the eternal.
And yet Jesus still says to us today:
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33b, NIV)
(John 16:33b, NIV)
Jesus
knew this world would bring each of us much turmoil and discomforts.
But He gave us Himself – His Presence – to get us through these times.
Even when surrounded by that which makes us fearful, anxious, and
unsettled, we can be in peace and have peace.
May our adoration of Jesus be firmly established in our hearts and minds.
And may we wave our palms in worship to Him, each and every day!
And may we wave our palms in worship to Him, each and every day!
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
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