The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on the coats. Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!"
Matthew 21:6-11
Reflection
Greetings prayer partner,
I LOVE studying the Word of God! We continue to remind you that life came with an instruction book, our Holy Bible, and it is filled with information, inspiration, instructions, promises, and the historical account of thousands of years of history, culture, imperfect people being created, called, commanded, disciplined, forgiven, and always loved by God Almighty, Creator and Sustainer of all that exists. The story of the God who was, and is, and is to come fills these pages and fills our hearts, souls, minds, and strength as we study, believe, and make God’s will and ways our very own.
Scripture’s depths are more than we can ever discover and fully comprehend, but we are challenged and hopefully compelled to step a little deeper into he Word of God every day to draw nearer to God who is our Lamp and lightens our darkness.
Palm Sunday is layered in deep, glorious meaning. The laying cloaks down on a path and waving palm branches shouting for victory and salvation was not a spontaneous, first- time spur of the moment idea that popped into someone’s head who noticed Jesus coming into Jerusalem riding a colt escorted by a donkey. No, there was so much more to it as The Prince of Peace was entering Jerusalem on a symbol of peace in that culture. Someone waging war would ride in on a horse, but the colt represented peace. It is interesting to note, both the firstborn colt and firstborn son of a man according to Jewish law, were to be redeemed by sacrificing a lamb. (Exodus 13:13)
History records as well as the apocryphal book of Maccabees in the Catholic Bible, the events that are now celebrated as Hanukkah or Feast of Dedication as noted in John 10:22. In 164 BC when victory was won through the Jewish revolt and Jerusalem was freed from the Seleucid Empire and the Temple was resecured and cleansed, we read of the crowds celebrating the leader of the revolt Judas Maccabees by waving palm branches and shouts of victory and praise. (1 Maccabees 13:51) This moment also had holy historical roots, harkening back to the celebration that God commanded and is honored every year in the Feasts of Tabernacles. (Lev 23:40)
God’s people were celebrating God’s way and in the moment that prophecy was being fulfilled as Jesus rode in on a colt, God’s people honored Jesus as their King, Hero, and Salvation. Scripture does NOT link these same people as the ones crying out “Crucify Him” a few days later. Those that waved the palms were fast asleep in the early morning moments when Luke 22:66 tells us, “At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. “They were the crowd who took Jesus to Pilate and the voices that cried, “Crucify!” even as the echoes of “Hosanna” lingered in heaven.
How to Pray
As you study Scripture, the waving of palm branches should also ring a bell in a moment yet to come. Rev 7:9-10, “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
As Palm Sunday approaches, we should take some time to worship, Hosanna! The Lamb who saved us, the Prince of Peace who lives in us and through us, The King of Kings and Lord of Lords we worship today, and every day. Celebrate, honor and proclaim VICTORY in His great name!
Will you join me in prayer?
Jesus, our Prince of Peace and the Lamb who was slain, You have paid our sin debt in full, You have redeemed the life of all who would believe and call You Lord. Our souls celebrate, our hearts cry out Your praise. You have given us abundant life and restored our relationship with the Father through Your blood and resurrection. You have overcome death and sin and sorrow has no place in our lives as we sing and shout of Your goodness. You became sin, yet knew no sin, that we could become Your righteousness. We bless You, we bless Your holy name and as we celebrate palm Sunday we also look ahead to the awesome day when we will wave these branches and worship You in heaven. Thank You for being our Lord, BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!" Amen!
Serving Him with gladness,
Kathy Branzell
President
