Sun 5 Apr

It is around this time of the year that Christians celebrate Easter. There is Good Friday – a time to remember the death of Jesus on the cross. There is Easter Sunday – a time to remember the resurrection of Jesus in those marvellous words – “He is not here, He is risen!” And there is today – Palm Sunday – a day to remember Jesus riding triumphantly into Jerusalem on a donkey. Why remember the events of Palm Sunday? After all if we jump ahead a few days it can hardly be called triumphant as Jesus is mocked, flogged, and horrendously mistreated. Even our Prime Ministers we would not treat that way. Why call it triumphant, when the king dies? We call it triumphant because there is a resounding outpouring of praise to the King. The crowd were shouting “Hosanna”! If check the psalm they are quoting, they are looking for God to save them. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem there would be those in the crowd who knew who Jesus was – He is the long awaited Saviour. There would be those shouting Hosanna out of praise to God. And there would be those who are caught up in the euphoria of the moment – overcome with all that was going on. The ride into Jerusalem stirs the Jewish leadership into action. It is now their opportunity to get rid of Jesus. And notice as you read these verses that it is all according to God’s Word. If you were on the street’s of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday what would you be shouting?