Palm Sunday

Mark 11 (NIV)

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

¹ As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, ² saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³ If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

⁴ They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, ⁵ some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” ⁶ They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. ⁷ When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. ⁸ Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. ⁹ Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!^[a]”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”^[b]

¹⁰ “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

¹¹ Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

This Morning church was amazing. Listening to our pastor talk to the kids about the Triumphal entry and hearing the children yell "Hosanna! Hosanna!" as loud as they could gave me such joy. I can only imagine what it would have been like to be there for the real thing. When I was a kid The church I grew up in did a big passion play every year. I remember singing and waving huge palm fronds as the man playing Jesus rode down the isle on a donkey. I used to run up the isle with all the other kids yelling, "Jesus, Jesus!", to have the man playing Jesus say “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matt. 19:14). I remember how much joy I had being there in that moment sitting at his feet knowing that we were chosen and loved.

Today I was reminded that I am still chosen and loved. I can still run to him yelling, "Jesus, Jesus!" and when people try to hold me back or discourage me he will still answer them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Several years ago I wrote a poem that with the help of a friend was turned into a song:

To be a child when you walked the earth, what would my eyes have seen?

The comfort of your simple touch, your words making dead people live

Looking into your face not knowing all you'd do for me

To walk beside you and sit at your feet as you spoke your fathers words.

Then to see your body hanging there. Giving your final breath to save the world.

You saw me stand in front of you. Knowing all that I would to, to break your heart and bring you joy.

Then looking past all my sin and all I would do to mock your name, you knew that I would come to bless the Lord.

The people laughed and they called you names. You were bruised and beaten down.

But looking at you I saw your loving eyes beneath that crown.

You were not angry, you did not fight back, or show your infinite power.

You just kept walking down that road toward your darkest hour.

But in your pain I did not see. You were buying my life and liberty.

You saw me stand in front of you, knowing all that I would to, to break your heart and bring you joy.

Then looking past all my sin you knew that I would come to bless you lord.

Thank you God for sending your Son to save us.

I hope you all take this week to think about everything Jesus went through this week and the upcoming triumph over death for our sins.