CELEBRATING PALM SUNDAY

Yesterday, we celebrated Palm Sunday. It commemorates the day Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and the people greeted and celebrated His arrival with palm branches (John 12:13, Matthew 21:8). The people spread palm branches on the road and their garments as a sign of high respect for their King. The event is also the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Prophet Zechariah, "Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey's colt (Zechariah 9:9)." Because of the prophecy of the Prophet Zechariah, the people had been preparing and waiting for this day. They had been longing to see their King deliver them from the rulership of the Roman Empire, and Israel would become the greatest Kingdom again. They were expecting a political King; however, Jesus came not to conquer the Romans and make Israel a powerful nation again but to conquer sin by dying on the cross for the sins of the world. 

Jesus rode on a donkey to show the people that He came as a servant King to save them from their sins. A donkey is a labor mule for the common people. Jesus could have chosen to ride on a horse, but his purpose was not to become a political leader but to become the Lord and Savior of the world by conquering sin through His death and resurrection. Jesus came to save us from our sins. The Palm Sunday is the beginning of Passion Week or Holy Week. Luke 19:10 says, "For the Son of Man (Jesus) came to seek and save those who are lost." Our Lord Jesus came to bring us eternal life and hope. The Jews were only focusing on the things of this world, but our Lord Jesus was focusing on eternal life. Let us thank our Lord Jesus today for coming to us to save us from our sins and give us eternal life and hope.

Praise be to our Lord Jesus for coming to this world to save us. Let us rejoice today no matter what situation we are in because our situations in this world are only temporary. We have eternal life beyond our life in this world because Jesus came and rescued us from our sins. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What was the purpose of Jesus' coming? Why did Jesus ride on a donkey? What should be my attitude towards God this Passion Week?  

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, I can rejoice today because you came and saved me from my sins. Because of what you did on the cross, I have eternal life and hope. Thank you for loving me so much that you sacrificed your only Son, Jesus Christ, to save me. I praise you and glorify your name. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.