Encounter on Palm Sunday
Text: _Teacher, rebuke your disciples! . . . If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out._ — Luke 19:39-40
Palm Sunday is the beginning of Jesus’ bold step to make our encounter with God possible. The Messiah rides into Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt like a prince of peace, not a conqueror. Loud crowds and jubilant disciples cheer Jesus on in sheer ignorance, waving branches (Matthew 21:8-9) and shouting “Hosanna!” meaning “Save Us!” (Psalm 118). Yet we know, as Jesus does, that He will soon face betrayal, trial, torture, and the cruelest death. He rides through Jerusalem to the cross, where He will assault the gates of hell (Matthew 16:18).
Palm Sunday is the ironic beginning of Holy Week, which closes with Jesus’ death and burial on Friday. Perhaps, you can’t imagine Jesus enjoying the celebration. His heart must be broken as He engages the deadly battle with evil. Like a soldier who must face the enemy, Jesus is prepared to give His life for us. Do we realize why He faced all this—for us? Later that week Jesus would hear angry jeers—not these naïve cheers. But on this day He accepts the praise; otherwise like our text says “the stones will cry out”. Today, you can make a decision on which side of the encounter you would be - those who praise Him on Palm Sunday or those who demand for His death on Good Friday. In your encounter with Him, you will either be singing “Hosanna” or be demanding “Crucify Him”. Today, may we encounter and celebrate a Messiah who came and has done for us what we could never have done for ourselves.
Prayer:
Today, we bring humble praises, Holy Jesus. We pray that You accept our praise at the beginning of this most Holy Week, in Your Name we pray, Amen.).
Text: _Teacher, rebuke your disciples! . . . If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out._ — Luke 19:39-40
Palm Sunday is the beginning of Jesus’ bold step to make our encounter with God possible. The Messiah rides into Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt like a prince of peace, not a conqueror. Loud crowds and jubilant disciples cheer Jesus on in sheer ignorance, waving branches (Matthew 21:8-9) and shouting “Hosanna!” meaning “Save Us!” (Psalm 118). Yet we know, as Jesus does, that He will soon face betrayal, trial, torture, and the cruelest death. He rides through Jerusalem to the cross, where He will assault the gates of hell (Matthew 16:18).
Palm Sunday is the ironic beginning of Holy Week, which closes with Jesus’ death and burial on Friday. Perhaps, you can’t imagine Jesus enjoying the celebration. His heart must be broken as He engages the deadly battle with evil. Like a soldier who must face the enemy, Jesus is prepared to give His life for us. Do we realize why He faced all this—for us? Later that week Jesus would hear angry jeers—not these naïve cheers. But on this day He accepts the praise; otherwise like our text says “the stones will cry out”. Today, you can make a decision on which side of the encounter you would be - those who praise Him on Palm Sunday or those who demand for His death on Good Friday. In your encounter with Him, you will either be singing “Hosanna” or be demanding “Crucify Him”. Today, may we encounter and celebrate a Messiah who came and has done for us what we could never have done for ourselves.
Prayer:
Today, we bring humble praises, Holy Jesus. We pray that You accept our praise at the beginning of this most Holy Week, in Your Name we pray, Amen.).
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