WHY PALM SUNDAY?

 

Sunday, April 2, 2023

 

WHY PALM SUNDAY?

 

Reading: Luke 19:28-44

 

Luke 19:29-31

29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.

31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.

 

          The events of the day we call Palm Sunday begin with Jesus Himself. He initiated his own applause and praise. That is curious and, well, not humble. It is also a bit weird in that Jesus knew there would be a colt, that it would be tied, and that it would be found at a particular intersection. He also knew the owner would object until it was explained to him that the Lord had need of him. A few verses more and Jesus explains that this was simply the appointed time for praise and that, if the people were restrained, the rocks would simply take up the cry! It is here we can cue “The Twilight Zone” theme song but the question still lingers. Why Palm Sunday?

 

          Because Jesus was and is worthy of praise. He is, after all, more than a man, more than a carpenter, and more than a home-grown philosopher. He is the Lord of Glory. He is the Darling of Heaven! He is “the lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world!”

 

          Palm Sunday highlights the irony of praising man. Just a few days later some of these same praising people would be shouting “crucify him!” Such is our response to God throughout our lifetime. We seem to move easily from praising to crucifying and then back to praising again. We praise Him with our lips and crucify Him with our lives.

 

King Jesus, today we praise thee! Let our praise rise because you are worthy. AMEN