He Entered the City, and Our Hearts

“When Christ entered into Jerusalem the people spread garments in the way: when He enters into our hearts, we pull off our own righteousness, and not only lay it under Christ’s feet but even trample upon it ourselves.”   - Augustus Toplady

Holy Week (Passion Week) consists of eight days that begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday. On Palm Sunday, Christians recall Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey colt as prophesied (Zechariah 9:9). Why do we call this Passion Week? It was aptly named because of the intense passion with which Jesus so willingly went to his death on the cross for our sins.

Jesus had come to save the lost (Luke 19:10). And, as he entered the Holy City on his way to his final appointment at Golgotha, he was fully aware that his earthly mission would soon be fulfilled. This was the time, and the place that he would secure our salvation.

As Jesus rode the colt up towards Jerusalem, a huge crowd engulfed him. This particular crowd recognized Jesus as the Messiah, however, what they missed was that it was not yet time to establish the kingdom (Luke 19:11-12). But it was here, along the road into the city, that the people's behavior gave rise to the name "Palm Sunday."

"A very large crowd spread their cloaks of the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road" (Matthew 21:8). In doing this, they were offering Jesus the royal treatment. John 12:13 tells us that the cut branches were from palm trees.

The people honored Jesus verbally on that first Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:9; Psalm 118:25-26). Some religious leaders who were present resented the allusion to a Messianic psalm, Even so, Jesus didn't feel the need to reprimand anyone who told the truth (Luke 19:40).

Although it was time for rejoicing their King's arrival in Jerusalem, the celebration was short-lived. The people were expecting a Messiah to rescue them politcally, and to free them nationally. Jesus came to save them spiritually, which was not at all what they had hoped for.

Many of us today also miss the true reason for Jesus' presence. We can't see or understand the cross. "As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace -- but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies...will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you" (Luke 19:31-47).

It's really quite tragic to see the Savior but not know Him for who He is. The crowds on that long ago day cried out "Hosanna!" Yet, only days later another crowd shouted out "Crucify Him!" (Matthew 27:22-23) We should never forget that Jesus Christ is Lord. "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb" (Revelation 7:9). Can anyone truly measure the sum of their joy?

Scripture: Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5;John 3:16-17; John 3:3; John 12:9-19

Prayer: My Holy Father, you paid the ultimate price in order to save me; You didn't have to, but You did; and for this loving, unselfish act, I am eternally grateful to You. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Kathryn