Sunday, April 17, 2011

Palm Sunday

And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. 10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. Matthew 21:1-11

One week, only one short week and your entire life can change. In the life of Jesus, it was not only his life that changed but the lives of the entire world. Today is the start of Passion Week or Holy week. It is the week leading up to Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.

Jesus and his disciples had been walking for a long time, having left Jericho they were now coming to Jerusalem a journey of about 19 miles. Remember in Bible times there were no “superhighways” no express ways, no fast cars, or trains. They traveled on foot or rode on animals. The roads were not smooth but rough and dangerous.

As they entered the village Jesus told two of his men to go to a certain place and get a donkey with her colt. They obeyed and accomplished the job. The disciples started to prepare the animals, by putting clothes on them like a covering so Jesus would not have to sit on the bare back. By doing this they were “acknowledging him to be their king, for this was a custom observed by the people when they found that God had appointed a man to the kingdom.”-Adam Clarke

The disciples started the walk toward the city of Jerusalem. There were great numbers of people all around, some probably had followed from Jericho. The people threw branches of trees down for Jesus’ donkey to walk on. Albert Barnes says, “The palm was an emblem of “joy and victory.” It was used by the Roman soldiers, as well as the Jews, as a symbol of peace.”

As the garments and branches were thrown down the people began to praise Jesus. They didn’t just praise Jesus, but PRAISED HIM!!. They cried with loud voices, so loud that the whole city was saying, who is this?? The people were interested in what was going on. They wanted to know who was worthy to receive all this praise. All the people were more than willing to give the answer, Jesus the prophet of Nazareth.

Jesus is more than worthy to receive our praise. As you mediate on what this day represents praise Him for all He has done for you.


Psalm 150

Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord
.


Have a blessed day,
Donna

No comments:

Post a Comment