Palm Sunday

 

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. (Mark 11:1-11 ESV).

 

We are about a week early in the actual calendar; however, starting the devotionals about Easter this early gives us more time to process the incredible magnitude of Jesus’ redemptive work on our behalf. Today we are looking at the day Jesus makes His entry into Jerusalem for the events leading to His crucifixion, death, and resurrection. Jesus enters the "City of Peace" ("Jerusalem") as the people cheer, "Hosanna!," which means, "Save!" It is unlikely they understood what was happening. Even the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples did not yet fully grasp the significance of the coming events.

 

The crowds took their salvation cry from Psalm 118:25-26. They wanted Jesus to overthrow the Romans and take back their capital city (cf. John 6:15; Acts 1:6). Had they forgotten his prophecy about going to Jerusalem to suffer and die for their salvation (Mark 8:31; 9:30-32; 10:32-34)? Easter's victory would be impossible without Good Friday's surrender to death. And what of the two disciples Jesus sent to get the colt? Were they honored to do this for Jesus? Thankfully, they did as directed, and their obedience challenges us to be obedient disciples.

 

Sadly, the crowds' cheers would soon turn into jeers. So it goes when a hero—even God—doesn't give us what we want. But today we know who Jesus is and who and whose we are. It should motivate us to shout our "Hosannas" in truth.