Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Matthew 21:8-11 (ESV)
Dear Jesus,
Today, we wave palm branches in Your honor. We sing “Hosanna in the highest!” We shout Your name to the heavens.
I want to stay here, Jesus. I want to stay on the streets with the palm branches, where everyone is cheering for You, hands to the sky. It’s the ultimate party for the ultimate King.
But this parade doesn’t end on the streets. It’s headed straight for the cross.
Soon, the “Hosannas” will be a faint echo. People will cry out “crucify him!”
You knew that, didn’t You? Even as the palm branches brushed against Your arms, You knew where this road was leading. You knew who’d betray you. You knew who’d deny you. You knew how your biggest fans would run and hide.
Today, we watch You ride into town on a borrowed donkey, with Your head held high. It’s the only time in all of Scripture where You allowed Yourself to be exalted. But even then, it was never about the crowd’s approval of You. You had Your face set like flint on the cross.
The cross.
No one knew but You.
You had determined from the beginning that You would love us to your death, so that we could truly be given life.
The magnitude of Your sacrifice is incomprehensible. The depth of Your love is incomparable. And the breadth of Your goodness makes You absolutely irresistible.
When You came into Jerusalem, the whole city asked, “Who is this?”
Today, I answer with all my heart:
You are my Savior, that’s who.
You are my Lord, that’s who.
You are my Friend, and my Redeemer, and the reason my life has meaning.
You are my purpose, and my passion, and my pathway to peace.
You are the one true King.
Today, I spread my cloak on a different kind of road – the road that leads straight to my heart. I invite You to enter in, to make a home in my heart, and to change me from the inside out. I want to love You at all costs – not to be counted among those who denied You, betrayed You, or hid when the stakes were high.
May You always see my branch, waving high for You. May You always hear my voice, exalting You above everything else in my life:
“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
In Your precious name,
Amen.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people asked: “Who is this?”
How would you answer that same question today?
Jesus, You are my Friend, and my Redeemer, and the reason my life has meaning. #PalmSunday -@dukeslee: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
Jennifer,
Beautifully written. And all I can add is Amen!
Love and Hugs
Diane
So glad this spoke to you, Diane! I hope your Palm Sunday was meaningful and peace-filled.
Jennifer,
The symbolism of Jesus riding a donkey is that He was lowly (humble). It could symbolize peace. He was doing the father’s will. People thronged there to see something. They wanted to be “wowed”. The pharisees and sadducees were concerned about their pride. They stirred up the crowd to crucify Jesus. This was all a part of God’s plan from the beginning. No one really knew what to make of Him. I personally call Jesus Savior, healer, friend, life giver. All my praise is given to Him for going all the way to the cross. He never took anything to dull the pain of that long trek. He is my miracle worker. This Palm Sunday I will shout Hosanna to the highest. Throughout this week I will contemplate what Jesus went through on “good Friday”, Saturday & then triumphant Easter Sunday. This world may just say Easter bunny, candy, parades, new clothes, etc. I say He is Risen & I win!!!
Happy Palm Sunday 🙂
Beth, Your thoughts expressed here are so meaningful. May your Holy Week be hope-filled.
Beautiful!!! My heart’s cry exactly!!!! Jesus make my heart Your throne!
Amen, Cyndi!
Beautiful! My hearts cry exactly. Jesus, make my heart your throne.
I love the saying,”See my branch waving high for you “. I want to do this daily . Amen!
Oh, I love that, Kamilah! Thanks for sharing.
Yes
I say
Hosanna in the highest.
You are my King and Friend and Redemer.
Praise the Lord.
Everyone remember he rode on a donkey but really he is riding a white horse and wearing a Red Robe soon for us.
I love you Lord
And Jesus loves us and died and he has risen for us all.
Love
Lisa
What a relief it is to know that our story doesn’t end in the grave. Thanks for sharing, Lisa.
Jesus was human. He didn’t have any fancy airs are graces about himself. So we don’t need to have any fancy airs or graces either Jesus just loves us the way we are. I would say Jesus rode that donkey to let the people know he was their king. That he was showing them he loved them. That he was there for the people. That he was their friend. He was human just like them. He is our King he is here for me and you also. He loves us too just as much. We can too can sing Hosanna to the best king ever and that is JESUS. Thank you for an excellent reading on Palm Sunday and Prayer on it. Dawn xxx
Isn’t it marvelous to know that our King would bow low, as a servant? So humbling! May you have a most blessed Holy Week.
I didn’t have a chance to comment earlier, but thank for this blessing on Palm Sunday! It is a wonderful prayer throughout this whole day.
Hope your day was great, Rachel. Have a meaningful and blessed Holy Week. xo