Palm Sunday

Today's Scripture

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem. See, your King comes to you, righteous & having salvation, gentle & riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zech. 9:9)

Expectations

Zechariah, writing over 500 years before Palm Sunday, had it right. Jesus would enter Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday. Crowds would wave palm branches & shout praises to the Messiah. There would be great joy & adulation.

But the people missed something that Zechariah has foretold. Their expectation was for a Messiah who would enter Jerusalem on a majestic stallion. Jesus entered on "a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." The people expected a warrior-Messiah:  one who would break the yoke of an oppressive Roman regime. Jesus came to the people "righteous & having salvation, gentle . . . " His message was entirely different from the one they expected. This may explain why they would viciously turn on Him later that week.

And they did turn on Him. We read in Mark 15:12-14, "'What shall I do, then, with the one you call king of the Jews?' asked Pilate. 'Crucify Him!' they shouted. 'Why? What crime has He committed?' asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, 'Crucify Him!'" Jesus wasn't the Messiah they expected. He hadn't come to drive out the Romans; to restore the fortunes of the people; to bring earthly peace. And their murderous cries followed Him on His march to the cross.

Jesus had come--& still comes--to bring peace between God & humankind. As we observe Holy Week, may we rejoice in a Messiah who came to save His people--& that includes you & me--from their sins.

Prayer

We praise You, O Christ, for You came as a servant, not as a warrior king. May we receive You as our Savior from sin & death. Amen.

NOTE:  I've decided on a moratorium from any of my usual blogs during Holy Week. Instead, I will publish a devotion each day. My prayer is that my devotions would glorify Christ & edify those who read them.