"Reflections on Palm Sunday" 4/08/25

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

A week before his crucifixion, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey colt (Mark 11:1-11). The Son of David, He was Judah's rightful king, yet He came to die (see Jesus' words in Mark 10:32-34). Afterwards, He arose and ascended to the throne of heaven. Crowned as king, one day He will return to rule on David's throne over all the nations.

Zechariah connects Jesus' initial entry into Jerusalem with the day when His reign shall cover the entire earth in Zech. 9:9-10. 

"9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth."

Rejoice, all you who trust in the LORD, for He has come and He is coming again.

1600 years ago Ephraim the Syrian (an early Christian Theologian) wrote, "Praise him who comes, and is to come! Hosanna to the Father's mighty Son, here and in the highest. Praise him who once humbled himself in love to save our human race. Praise him for his Father's boundless grace! Who would not stop to see and wonder at how low your love bent down? A donkey once carried you here on the earth. You, in your might and holiness! And in your pity for us, you serve and bless our fallen race. This day is joy-filled for all creation. My glad soul will sing a song of praise, and wave branches of thanksgiving that were once just palm branches, thrown in front of you by children. Now we own your hidden majesty, and we cry with those children: "Hosanna to the Son of David!" Amen." (as quoted in O Sacred Head Now Wounded by Jonathan Gibson).

The rulers were jealous, the children praised Him. 

What of you and I?

Grace & Peace,

Matt