Passion Week – Palm Sunday

4-9-17

Since this is the week celebrated as the Passion Week, the days leading up to the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Christ, we’re going to do something a little different. We will have a short devotional each day through Sunday focusing on the events of that day.

Sunday is often called the Triumphal Entry. Jesus traveled toward Jerusalem, the holy city he had visited since he was young. The city of the temple. The center of the Jewish faith.

Just outside the city, He sent his disciples to find transportation. But he didn’t ask for a chariot or an expensive horse. He said, “…’Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me.’” The Creator of Earth planned a very humble appearance.

It turns out He didn’t need the equivalent of a limousine. The people knew who He was, and they were ready to celebrate. The put their clothes and tree branches on the road. They shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:9) According to Strong’s Concordance, hosanna means “save, we pray.” Originally it was a plea for help, but it came to be an expression of happiness. The people recognized who Jesus was and wanted to honor Him.

Imagine the emotions Jesus must have been feeling. Here He was, surrounded by people who saw Him as their Savior, with Jerusalem coming into view. The city that should have received him the quickest. The city that would soon betray Him.

As He got close to it, Jesus wept over the city. He prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem that would occur not many years after His death (Luke 19:41-44).

Jesus also went into the temple and took a close look around. It was getting late by then, and He and His disciples went to Bethany for the night (Mark 11:11). Very little is recorded about Jesus’ visit to the temple on Sunday, but it must have affected Him deeply. Tomorrow we’ll walk through the first meeting with the fig tree and what happened next at the temple.

May the Lord bless and keep you,

Heather

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