Palm Sunday: The Beginning of the Final Week
Holding the Weight of a Secret
Have you ever held a secret? A BIG one? Maybe it was an upcoming surprise for a friend, or perhaps you knew something that was going to devastate someone when they found out.
Can you imagine holding the secret that Jesus was keeping as he entered the final week of his life?
In John 12, we are given a glimpse into the scene in Jerusalem as Jesus, whose fame had spread far and wide, came riding in on a donkey, moving steadily toward the climax of a beautiful redemption for all mankind.
(12) The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. (13) They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
A King Welcomed, Yet Misunderstood
In Matthew 21, we learn that as Jesus made his way through the city streets, huge crowds scrambled to see him, throwing their cloaks on the road before him—cloaks that were likely among their most valuable possessions.
The people cheered in adoration, shouting Hosanna!—calling on him to save them.
But how his heart must have broken, knowing what was to come.
Many believed the Messiah would be a military leader, one who would overthrow the occupying Romans. Perhaps it would have been easier to fight a battle of swords than to ride through those crowds, knowing that though many would be saved through his sacrifice, others would not.
Some would not understand.
Some would not believe.
Jesus knew that soon, a choice would be put before them. He understood well the danger he was heading into—so that they would HAVE that choice. This is surely the heaviest burden the world has ever seen.
Are We Any Different Today?
I wonder, how different are we today from the crowds in Jerusalem?
We still shout and pray to God for salvation… but are we actually taking that final, required step to truly be saved?
If there is one lesson mankind should have learned from biblical history, it’s that our relationship with God is exactly that—a relationship. And relationships require commitment from both sides to be healthy.
As we head into this week, remembering the amazing sacrifice that our Lord Jesus Christ made for us, I want to reflect on the health of my relationship with Him.
- Is my commitment as strong as His?
- Is my relationship with God one-sided, or is it a healthy representation of a Savior, Provider, Protector, Redeemer—and his loyal servant?
- What can I do to honor His sacrifice—not just in my heart, but through action?
Faith in Action: A Call to Live Differently
(14) What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? (15) Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. (16) If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? (17) In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
James 2 reminds us that faith without action is dead.
What is dead has surely not been born again through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is the equivalent of standing on the side of the street in Jerusalem, calling out for salvation to the Lord—but never bringing our faith to life through action.
A Prayer for Reflection and Action
Lord, I pray that you will give me eyes to see how my life may not be in alignment with your will.
Help me to know you more, day by day, so that I might reflect your loving light into this world in all its fullness. Show me where I can take action on behalf of your kingdom, bringing boldness to my heart and divine truth to the words I speak on your behalf.
Light a fire in my heart that will burn brightly in the darkness. Above all, please don’t ever let me forget the Holy Sacrifice that was made so that I could know your love.
I do not want to be a bystander, Lord, but an active participant in your kingdom and in your plans.
Thank you for your patience and your kindness as I reflect on my actions this week.
I pray these things in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
Misty Surine is a Local Ministerial Candidate (LMC), a worship leader, and a member of the Least of These Riders Microchurch.
