“. . people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. ~John 12:12,13
Jesus made His triumphant arrival into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. He was welcomed with a regal carpet of palm branches and applauded enthusiastically on this first day of Holy Week of Passover. They exclaimed, “Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord,” praising Him as the long-awaited Messiah. They had no idea that this was the last week of His life—well, sort of. They had no idea that in only five days, the hateful shout, “Crucify Him!” would take the place of their cries of hope-filled devotion.
Rather than believing the truth of God’s Word, these Jesus devotees’ adoration was based on their own theories and preconceptions. Yes, they were eager for a King, but they desired a monarch who would destroy Rome and restore their freedom. Their thoughts were probably filled with tales from the past, picturing terrible plagues and divided seas. They believed that there was once again cause for an epic exodus. Why not now?
Trying to worship Christ the way we want to is risky. It is unnerving to think back on that first Palm Sunday. From this side of the cross, their cries seem hollow and empty. How could they have had such poor vision? When Jesus didn’t live up to their expectations and conceptions, how could their hearts have flipped so quickly? The most troubling query, though, would be, “Are we any different?” I recently came across a post on Facebook from a man who posed the question, “How do we forgive God for not being the God we want Him to be?” It’s likely that a lot of people have come to the realization that God does fit nicely into the small worlds we try to create for ourselves. Rather, in order to be a part of His Kingdom, we must be transformed.
In the crowd on Palm Sunday, if I sit quietly and listen, I will hear my own voice. I also take my own defective expectations to the One and Only Wise King, praising Him till He lets me down by not caving in to my narrow-minded notions. At that point, my praise abruptly turns negative too. If I had been present that day, I would have quickly transitioned from exclaiming, “Hosanna!” to “Crucify Him!” Maybe three times before the rooster crowed, I had denied Him. It’s possible that I was the one to kiss Him into deception.
Whoever enters in the name of the Lord is truly blessed. How superior and higher are His plans than ours?
Prayer: Father, thank You for Hosanna - our help and salvation. Please assist me in worshiping You in spirit and in truth, according to Your Holy Word rather than my opinions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
