Today marks the beginning of what Christians call “Holy Week.” This is a remembrance of the week leading up to the two most significant events in all of history: the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I cannot think of a more crazy week that has ever been. It is the ultimate emotional roller coaster. It starts out at a very high point and plummets to the lowest only to rise again even higher than before. I am going to attempt to blog each day this week with some thoughts tied to what is believed to happened on this corresponding day long ago.
Palm Sunday
“When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples, telling them, “Go into the village ahead of you. At once you will find a donkey tied there with her foal. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them at once.”
This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: Tell Daughter Zion, “See, your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The disciples went and did just as Jesus directed them. They brought the donkey and its foal; then they laid their clothes on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their clothes on the road; others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. Then the crowds who went ahead of him and those who 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 he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in an uproar, saying, “Who is this? ” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”” (Matthew 21:1-2, 4-11 CSB)
This is the account from Matthew’s gospel of when Jesus entered Jerusalem for the final time. What a day that was! The long-awaited Messiah was entering into Jerusalem to take care of the business that He was sent to do.
We see the people standing along the road singing and shouting praises to God at the mere sight of Jesus. In my humble opinion, this should be a picture of what every Sunday looks like. As we recognize the Lord, we respond in the only appropriate manner: praise and worship.
It is hard to praise the Lord when you do not see Him though. The only people that we see participating in this praise event are those that get a glimpse of the Savior. We do not read about those in their homes or busy running their errands of the day joining in this praise.
Do you see Jesus at work around you? If He were to pass by through your city/town, would you be able to give Him the praise due Him, or would you miss it?
May our eyes be open today to see the work and presence of the King of kings. May we join in with others singing His praise: “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
