Scripture:
Luke 19:28-44
What has become known as Palm
Sunday or the “Triumphal Entry” has always been intriguing to me. It was a wonderful day for so many
people. We know the story . . .
thousands of people gathered to welcome their king whom they thought was going
to bring victory over their Roman oppressors.
But GOD has something else in mind.
The people lined up and down the
streets throwing palm branches down.
Some even threw down their outer garments. They cheered, “Hosanna!” which means, “Save
now!” They saw Him as their new king,
come to bring salvation from political and societal oppression. He raised the dead—no doubt He could also
restore the kingdom of David and free them from Roman rule.
Even the Pharisees were very
concerned about what they were seeing, saying with indignation, “Look, the
world has gone after Him” (John 12:19).
Today, remember, when you
realized GOD was different than you imagined and saw His will unfold in
surprising way. Remember what the LORD
declared: “For My thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways My ways . . . For as the heavens are higher than
the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your
thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
I have always been gripped by
JESUS seeing the people of the city, all looking for an earthly king, and He
wept. JESUS wept bitterly because He was
heartbroken for the people. He knew they
were looking for something other than what He came to offer. He knew how quickly they would turn against
Him and revile Him.
We are often like these people. One moment we are praising Him and the next
moment we are denying Him because He doesn’t give us what we think we want and
need. Oh, I don’t mean we usually rail
against Him outwardly or vocally, but we deny Him through our complacency. Every time we are presented with the truth of
who JESUS is and what He accomplished through His death, burial, and
resurrection we deny Him.
May we celebrate today with full
knowledge that JESUS did not come to present Himself as a mighty victorious
king . . . but in the fact that JESUS came as Suffering Servant to take away
our sin. May we be deeply overwhelmed by
His love and grace.
JESUS is Risen . . . !
Richard Holloman
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