Passion Week - Palm Sunday

 

And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” (Luke 19:28-40 ESV).

 

I know I have quoted a larger passage of Scripture for our reading today; however, as we begin the last week before Easter Sunday, there is a larger story to tell. Today is Palm Sunday, the first of seven devotionals will center on this day of Passion Week. Sometimes Palm Sunday reminds me of a roller-coaster. There's always one point where you find yourself sitting at the very top of a steep incline from which you will then feel the car lurching forward toward a huge, deep drop. That's Palm Sunday. You know that any moment now you'll be heading for the ground at a terrifying speed, but right now, at the top of the world, the view is amazing.

It must have been like that for Jesus. He knew perfectly well what was to come. There would the cleansing of the temple, the Last Supper, the betrayal, Gethsemane, arrest, trial, torture, and death. But for just a short time, He was looking at a tiny preview of the way it will be at the end of the world when humanity is set free and celebrating. John sees it like this: "A great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'" (Revelation 7:9b-10)

This was the purpose of His Incarnation. He came to this world to turn wretched, shivering slaves of sin into the free, joyful people of God. And Palm Sunday was a foretaste of the joy that would be. No wonder He said, "If these (people) were silent, the very stones would cry out!" (v. 40). Palm Sunday is a time for joy, because our Savior has come and is setting us free! Today, intentionally look forward to that day… refuse to allow the circumstances of your life rob you of this great hope already secured by His death and resurrection!