Palm Sunday

 Warmest Greetings,

As we approach Palm Sunday and Holy week, I am trying to concentrate on the last days of Jesus time on earth.  As I read about Palm Sunday, I realize it is a time of Praise.  Jesus rode the donkey into the city of Jerusalem as the crowd shouted ‘Hosanna’.  Luke 19:37 NLT  “When He reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of His followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.”  Matthew 21:9 NLT “Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around Him were shouting, ‘Praise God for the Son of David!  Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  Praise God in highest heaven!’”                

                                                         John 12:13

This was a time when Biblical prophecy was being fulfilled.  Zechariah 9:9 NLT  “Rejoice, O people of Zion!  Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!  Look, you King is coming to you.  He is righteous and victorious, yet He is humble, riding on a donkey – riding on a donkey’s colt.”  Luke 19:35 NLT “so they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for Him to ride on.”

It was also a time of sadness for Jesus.  Luke 19:41-42 “But as He came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, He began to weep.  (42) How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace.  But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.”  Luke 19:45-46 “then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices. (46) He said to them, “the Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer’, but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

How do we apply these events to our daily lives?

We are told in scripture to Praise the Lord even when we don’t feel like it.  Isaiah 61:3 NKJV  “… to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;”   If you are feeling low as I was at times this past week, think of all the things you are thankful for.  It is amazing how quickly your spirits can rise and you can sincerely and honestly Praise the Lord!

As Jesus cleansed the temple in Jerusalem, we should remember that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  1 Corinthians 6:19 “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?  You do not belong to yourself.“  This is a good time to ask the Holy Spirit to show us if there is any area of our life that needs cleansing.  1 John 1:9 “But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

Prophecy was being fulfilled as Jesus entered Jerusalem.  Are we aware of prophesy in the Bible and the signs that are pointing to the return of Jesus?  Are we preparing our hearts for His coming?

As Palm Sunday approaches, what is the Lord asking of us?  Are we, like the disciples, willing to go get a donkey when He asks?  Are we ready to say, “The Lord needs it.”  As we do what He asks, we allow Him to do His will in our lives.

What hope this gives us as we face our future.

Stay Well, Stay Safe,

Blessings,

  ❤️Sharon