Devotion

Palm Sunday 

On the church calendar, this coming Sunday is Palm Sunday, the Sunday immediately before Easter, which marks the beginning of Holy Week. 

Matthew 21: 1 - 11 outlines Jesus' coming to Jerusalem as King. The triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem marks a key point in his earthly ministry. 

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

“Say to Daughter Zion,   ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey,   and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

There was a jubilant atmosphere when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.  The people had waited a long time for the promised Messiah.  Since the time of Abraham, they had longed to see their promised King, who would conquer their enemies and bless the nations. 

The people expected a King and they hailed Jesus as King.  They expected their earthly kingdom to be re-established from underneath the rule of the Roman Empire. But that’s not what they got - it was what they wanted, but it was not what they needed!

Jesus had not come to be a conquering King for their land on Earth, but rather He came to be the King of their hearts.  God’s plan was very different than what the people had hoped for. Their desire was to have a ruler who would overcome Roman oppression.  One who would restore them and would give them power over the surrounding nations.  That’s the King for whom they had been waiting. 

The events of Palm Sunday are a fantastic reminder for us to look for Jesus every day, keeping our eyes on Him (Hebrews 12:2) and joyfully looking forward to the day, whether it be in our lifetime, or a time far away in the future, when Jesus will return as the King of Kings to judge, reign, and rule over all the earth. Easter reminds us that our sins are paid for by Jesus and we belong to Him.  We are worthy to be included in His kingdom now and forever more. 

Lord, we pray that we could again turn our eyes and our focus to Jesus as we remember the events of Palm Sunday and Easter. Thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus, and the salvation that we enjoy in Him. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Will Wallace

Principal