Thoughts on Palm Sunday

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 09 April 2006 17:03:57

A man on a donkey, a carpenter. A lowly man, not rich or powerful, came riding into Jerusalem, triumphant, welcomed by crowds shouting 'Hosanna!' They cut down branches and waved them in the air, they threw their coats on the ground before him as he passed by. He was their saviour, their messiah, the one they had waited for, and he had come. Singing and dancing, shouts of joy and praise, welcomed the son of God to this city. Your name was glorified that day, in the gentleness of the donkey, the humility of Jesus and the joy of the people.

Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

He came to fulfill his purpose, to finish the work he had been sent to do. He shouted at the money changers and turned them out of the temple. He argued with the chief priests when they questionned his authority. He prayed to his father, and preached to all those who would listen. And then he broke bread, and shared a meal with his friends.

We cannot remember the start of this week without thinking of how it ended, how all this was turned round in those few days. He knew this would happen, and yet he came still. He knew how it had to end, and did not refuse.

Yet not my will, but yours.