Yesterday was Palm Sunday. Do you know what that means? Let me share.
On Palm Sunday, we celebrate Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. This occurs the week before his death and resurrection. It signifies the beginning of "Holy Week" which concludes Easter Sunday. The Bible says that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, people greeted him by waving palm branches and covering His path with the branches. Right after this great celebration, Jesus began His journey to the cross.
The biblical account of Palm Sunday can be found in Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; and John 12:12-19.
One of my professors brought up a good point this morning in class. People always seem to mention (just mention) His death, but make a glorious deal of His resurrection. It is true that His raising deserves a great deal of attention, but so does His death. "There could be no resurrection without first a death."
It's funny that they used palm branches. Do you know what the palm branch symbolizes? The victory of spirit over flesh. They used these... right before His death. Apparently, in those times, it was customary to cover the path of a person who was highly honored, and palm branches were a symbol of triumph and victory. The Romans would also reward champions of games with palm branches. But something else... Why a donkey? Sure, we know that Jesus wasn't rich... by any means, but surely someone would have been willing to provide a more noble animal for him... Apparently symbolism plays a part here too. A donkey is a symbol of peace. Horses were a symbol of war. Doesn't that remind you of back when He was born? Mary rode a donkey into the town of Bethlehem where she gave birth.
"This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied.
For every sin on Him was laid,
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world, by darkness, slain."
-In Christ Alone (Check out this Link to the song)
No comments:
Post a Comment