Palm Sunday

Luke 19:28 -41
And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.[29] And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, [30] Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. [31] And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. [32] And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. [33] And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? [34] And they said, The Lord hath need of him. [35] And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. [36] And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. [37] And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; [38] Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. [39] And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. [40] And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. [41] And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week. This is the last week of Jesus’ walk on earth, before His resurrection. This week lead up to the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Each day, I will try to do a short devotion on one of the events of the day.

Tradition teaches that the first day of that week, Sunday, Jesus road into Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt. Jesus sent two of his disciples into the village to get a donkey and her colt. Jesus knew where the animals were and he also knew the owner would ask who was taking his animals. This was prophesied in Zechariah 9:9 many years before.

The disciples obeyed Jesus and traveled into the city. Did they know the impact of what was happening? The gospel of John (John 12:16) tells us they didn’t understand at the time, but after the death of Jesus they reflected on the week and knew, this was the Lord’s Christ.

As Jesus was traveling through the city, people came out from all over to praise him. They threw down their garments and branches from trees so the colt could walk on them. As I was thinking about this I realized it was a sacrifice for people to put their clothes on the ground for a donkey to walk on. People in Bible times did not live like we do.

I live in New England, our winters are very cold so I have a few winter coats. It would not be a great sacrifice for me to give up one of them. Think of the people in Jesus’ time, most had only one coat or one set of clothes. They didn’t have a few hanging in the closet. This was a sacrifice for them. They were worshiping and praising God and were willing to give all, even the coat off their back.

A multitude of disciples were rejoicing and praising God too. Not only the twelve but a large group of followers were praising God. Where would these followers be in one week?

On the sidelines stood the Pharisees, seething in anger, as they asked Jesus to rebuke his disciples. One of the things the Pharisees despise was for anyone, other than themselves, getting any praise. They always remind me of the verse in Romans which says, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” Jesus calmly answered, “if they held their peace the stones would call out.”

As Jesus came near the city, He wept. He is so compassionate. He loved the people so much but it was not reciprocated. The people witnessed the healings, water turning into wine, food being multiplied, and miracle after miracle, but they did not believe this was the Savior. They chose not to follow the Lord.

People today also have a choice to follow Jesus or not to follow Jesus. Life is made of choices. The outcome of our life will be a reflection of the choices we made during our life. What choice will you make in regards to the Lord Jesus. Will you follow Him? Will you turn and go in the opposite direction? I pray you will follow Him.

Have a great day.
Donna