Reclaiming the Truth
“See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” John 12.19
Redeeming the Time
Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Passion Week. Today we celebrate the public inauguration of Jesus as King. It’s here on this day Jesus entered His last week on earth riding into Jerusalem on a donkey under a canopy of palm branches with crowds hailing Him as their king.
Jesus was not surprised by this parade of praise. Jesus chose this day, this time to announce He indeed is the Messiah. Jesus chose this specific time, the Passover Festival, a time when all Israel would be gathered in Jerusalem, a place where huge crowds would see Him. It was here on this road where His mission became unmistakable.
Huge crowds gathered to get a glimpse of Jesus, to honor Him, to celebrate Him. Check out how John the Beloved describes what happens in John 12:12-15.
“…The great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 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!”
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”
The “great crowd” celebrated. The “great crowd” declared. The “great crowd” cheered. The “great crowd” lifted high the Name of Jesus. In our day, we might say the mission of Jesus went viral.
Palm Sunday is a day for His people to celebrate, to declare, to cheer, to lift high the Name of our King.
It wouldn’t take long before the religious leaders would try and silence Jesus. The religious leaders had tired of Jesus’ rising popularity. They were looking for ways to stop His mission of indescribable love. In Dr. Luke’s account of what we call, “The Triumphal Entry,” he includes this exchange:
“Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19.39-40
We live in a moment of time where we are prohibited to gather together to publicly declare the glory of our Messiah. We don’t have others around us to form a “great crowd.” It’s just us. It’s just you. Is your voice enough? Is one voice, or two enough? Is the voice of one family enough? Does it make any difference in the landscape of mourning and fear in which our world is now living and dying?
Jesus makes it clear that should we stay silent, the very rocks will cry out His praises. What might it look like for you to declare His praise publicly today? What might your declaration sound like, what might it feel like, what might it love like? What difference will your declaration make today?
Reflection
- What does this text show me about the loveliness of God?
- What is it about God in this text that calls for my love for him?
- What does this text show me about people and about what love requires of me on their behalf?
- As one who has been shown mercy and love from God, what empowerment from Him do I need to overcome my obstacles to love?
- What about the love of God in Jesus gives me hope and provision for my own lovelessness?
- What does this text show me about people and about what love requires of me on their behalf?
- What does it look like to rest and receive in His redemptive love today?
Resting in His Redemption
Write a prayer of thanksgiving in response to His redemptive love.
