Today is Day 8 of my 28-day blogging challenge, and it’s Palm Sunday. Happy Palm Sunday! It’s a beautiful day to be alive as we celebrate the Triumphant Entry in 2022. There are few days in history that hold a lasting significance as does this special day, celebrated by Christians all over the world. It represents the arrival of Israel’s long-awaited king, riding victoriously into the ancient city of Jerusalem with celebrations and shouts calling for him to save His people. He was fulfilling prophecy as he rode into Jerusalem, and also asserting his rightful place as the eternal king over Israel, and indeed the whole world.

It was a beautiful moment as people laid down their clothes for his colt to ride over and bowed in obeisance to Him – a fitting climax for the king and Savior who never got a proper welcome into the world by the people he came to save, having been born in the most humble of circumstances. It was definitely the peak of His popularity among the people, because barely four days later, he was being subjected to shouts of “Crucify Him” as the same people turned against their king at the instigation of the religious leaders of the day.

People are fickle, and forgetful. If you make your plans on the basis of people’s promises of loyalty, especially a large mass of people, you are the most foolish of men. Jesus recognized this, and was never moved by the praise or criticism of people. He always stayed focused on doing God’s will, and his actions were only initiated on the strength of divine guidance. So whether he was multiplying bread or chastising traders at the temple, he was never moved by people’s opinion – only by God’s voice and a genuine compassion for people.

So passionate was Jesus for His people, that he wept over the city of Jerusalem shortly after riding victoriously into it (Luke 19:41), because they did not know the things that would bring them peace. He would go on to lay down his life, being led to the cross as a willing lamb for crucifixion, and becoming the “Lamb of God” who “takes away the sins of the world”. The big picture was not lost on him, neither were the immediate consequences of obeying God. The suffering, pain, wounds and horror of separation from God. But He focused on the joy ahead, providing a template for us in our time of sacrifices.

Jesus’ triumphant entry was a big statement to the people of His day and of every day, that He is the true king who would one day reign over the whole earth, having conquered evil in the world. But until that day comes, we are to rejoice in and take advantage of the spiritual victory He procured for us through His death and resurrection. We who believe in Him are seated with Him far above all powers in this world. We are overcomers like our King! The only question is: do you believe in Jesus?

I’ll take a pause here and pick this up tomorrow….as I continue my blogging journey. Have a blessed week!