“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” 4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?”6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna![a]”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]
10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Mark 11.1-10
It’s Palm Sunday, the start of the Christian Holy Week. It begins with this Sunday when Jesus approaches Jerusalem, arrives on the Mount of Olives, and then rides into the Holy City on a colt.
In our churches, it’s when children walk down the aisles shouting, “Hosanna, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” quoting from Psalm 118:25-26.
It’s a day of celebration, festivities, and reverence. When God himself has come in the flesh, and is returning to make all things new. It’s a day of celebration but the week carries with it so many lessons, turmoil, and madness. From the triumphal entry to the tragedy on the cross, Jesus walks into this week knowing that he will never leave it until the resurrection.
This morning I texted my family, “Happy Palm Sunday,” but is it a day to celebrate? Any more than “Good Friday” to rejoice? It is a day for reflection, meditation, and consideration to ask questions like, “What does the Messiah’s birth mean to me?” And “How might I imitate the way of Christ so others might know his love, grace, forgiveness, and mercy?
Palm Sunday is much more than simply rejoicing at the coming Messiah and of a fickle nation who would organize his death. It’s about a God who would make this journey for us. A sobering day when the King of the World knowingly submits to a loving God who was about to make the grandest sacrifice of all.
So I wonder, where do you find yourself on this Palm Sunday? Where is your heart, mind, and soul? Where are you with God? Are you counting the days until the resurrection, thankful that your sin has been covered? Or are you not quite there – still trying to figure out this whole “Jesus thing”?
Regardless of the state of your soul, God loves you. He will abide with you and capture your heart fully with his love if you will so allow it. Open the gift. Receive his grace. Submit to his will. Agree to his plan. His ways are higher than our ways. Lean into his love and allow the God of all creation to save your soul.
“O Lord God, I shout “Hosanna! Lord save us! Blessed are you! Creator of the World, King of all creation. Come now, Holy Spirit, make me your instrument of love and grace. Help me know the power of your hand and the might of your love. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen