Palm Sunday. We use that name to designate the beginning of what is often called “Holy Week.” It is the week that changed the world.
Jesus had a specific purpose for his actions on Palm Sunday. He deliberately came to Jerusalem that day, shortly after raising Lazarus from the dead. He deliberately sent His disciples to borrow a donkey colt that had never been ridden. He deliberately rode that colt into Jerusalem, and He allowed the people to sing His praises, even received their acclaim of Him as “son of David” and “the king who comes in the name of the Lord”.
Jesus had a specific purpose for all of that. He was presenting Himself to the people of Jerusalem as their Messiah, the long-awaited One. He gave them an opportunity to receive Him as their king.
Big picture – He knew the leaders would object. He knew they would reject His claims. He knew He had come to be crucified for their sins. Yet He deliberately chose to make this offer, one more chance for them to receive hope, forgiveness, purpose, life itself.
His greater purpose was not to become king of Jerusalem, but to give His life a ransom for many.
John 1:11–12 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
That offer is still good. Will you recognize Jesus as the Son of God, as your own Savior? Will you receive Him, or reject Him like the Jewish leaders?
Pastor John
