Friday, 26th March 2021–Thoughts about Palm Sunday

Palm fronds waving, people spontaneously dropping their clothes on the road, joyously shouting; “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” In that moment of time, the crowds declared Jesus the King of Israel. We celebrate this event on Palm Sunday.

A week later, we are once again celebrating victory; Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the darkness of hell and the grave. It may not be historically accurate that a week passed between the two events. Yet, in the church, Holy Week has become the observation of Jesus’ journey through suffering and death.

Every person who lives experiences betrayal, abuse, abandonment, physical harm, suffering of some sort. It is the consequence of living in a broken, fallen world. This is why Jesus’ joining mankind is mystical, miraculous, and majestic.

 Another name for Jesus is “God with us.” Jesus was involved with creating universal order and the rhythms of life. Then, one day, the extraordinary occurred—the Creator secreted Holy seed into a virgin. God united with woman, and took on flesh. Jesus entered the order and process of becoming human, being birthed into our world.

Hebrews focuses on the simultaneous identity of the Human Jesus and Great High Priest of heaven. The writer capsulizes the idea of a heavenly being living an earthly life in this way: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

As we focus on the evil that ravaged Jesus, we see that our suffering is His suffering. He not only weeps for us, but He also weeps with us. He carries us through our trials, temptations, and torments. God promises that He will never leave us, or forsake us. We are too precious to Him. This week, as we wave our Palm crosses, let us add our hearts and voices to the chorus; “Hosanna! Bless You, King Jesus, God with us!”