John 12:13
“They took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet Him, and cried, Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer says that when it comes to JESUS, the person interprets the work. That is to say, who JESUS is gives us the meaning of what JESUS does. The Bible tells us some details concerning JESUS’ life as someone who was sent from heaven with the greatest mission ever.
JESUS came to seek and save the lost! In just a few short verses, the New Testament writers present CHRIST to us from the story of his humble birth to Good Friday, from the manger to the cross, from the descent of the Word made flesh to the vision of that same Word as He is lifted up and, as we read in John’s Gospel, as He draws the whole world to Himself, here is the one whom GOD highly exalts, the one to whom GOD gives "the Name that is above every name, so that at the name of JESUS, every knee shall bow and every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue joins in confessing together that He is LORD!”
Even now, we are being lifted up with Him and drawn into unity with GOD in a way that will one day be made complete when we see Him face to face.
In the meantime, we follow Him with faltering steps and failing hearts. We do this not for our sake, but for His - not for our glory, but for His. We do it in the hope of things not seen, the truest things, the most real things. His is the Kingdom, the Church, and the real Gospel!!
On that particular first Palm Sunday, the welcoming crowd were the same that cried out crucify him! It was as clear as daylight that those in both crowds did not really know who JESUS is. None in the crowds really knew the reason for JESUS’ triumphal entry, His crucifixion, His resurrection, and His great mission. Does this describe today’s culture and society?
Many are still lost and unaware of the Savior from Heaven who came and brought Heaven down to a lost and desperate world. May we the redeemed never take for granted GOD’s gift of salvation in CHRIST and His promise of eternal life.
Let’s do our part as JESUS’ chosen ones in telling the world that Palm Sunday is meant for all sinners to invite and welcome JESUS into their heart. He desires to bring true freedom, forgiveness and salvation to everyone that’s in captivity of darkness and sin.
It was JESUS’ triumphal entry that pierced humanity’s lostness! Today we wait with eager expectation for His coming to take away His bride, the Church. Are we ready? Are we helping others to be ready?
Greatly Blessed In CHRIST,
PW, SM and Family 🙏❤️