Today is the day many around the world celebrate as Palm Sunday. The start of Easter week. To Jesus’ disciples it was just another day, a day when they began to think about preparing for Passover.
They were on the way to Jerusalem.
“ Jesus took the twelve apostles aside and said: ‘We are now on our way to Jerusalem. Everything that the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will happen there. 32 He will be handed over to foreigners, who will make fun of him, mistreat him, and spit on him. 33 They will beat him and kill him, but three days later he will rise to life.’
34 The apostles did not understand what Jesus was talking about. They could not understand, because the meaning of what he said was hidden from them.” Luke 18:31-34 CEV
Jesus knew that Jerusalem would be the place of His death. But, that didn’t stop Him from going.
“When Jesus had finished saying all this, he went on toward Jerusalem. 29 As he was getting near Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples on ahead. 30 He told them, ‘”Go into the next village, where you will find a young donkey that has never been ridden. Untie the donkey and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks why you are doing this, just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”
32 They went off and found everything just as Jesus had said. 33 While they were untying the donkey, its owners asked, ‘Why are you doing that?’
34 They answered, ‘The Lord needs it.’
35 Then they led the donkey to Jesus. They put some of their clothes on its back and helped Jesus get on. 36 And as he rode along, the people spread clothes on the road in front of him. 37 When Jesus started down the Mount of Olives, his large crowd of disciples were happy and praised God because of all the miracles they had seen. 38 They shouted, ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God.’
39 Some Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, make your disciples stop shouting!’ 40 But Jesus answered, ‘If they keep quiet, these stones will start shouting.’” Luke 19:28-40 CEV
The people were excited to have Jesus with them. They had seen the miracles, they had experienced His love, there was no one like Him but He was a threat to the religious leaders. They were scared of Jesus; they were losing control and they felt that the Roman governors would hold them accountable for Jesus’ actions. They had to do something.
” Each day, Jesus kept on teaching in the temple. So the chief priests, the teachers of the Law of Moses, and some other important people tried to have him killed. 48 But they could not find a way to do it, because everyone else was eager to listen to him.” Luke 19:47-48 CEV
What do think it would be like if Jesus was here today? I think people would be the same; some would love Him, and others would hate Him. He would show compassion but would require a reverence and honor for the Father.
He is still here today because He lives in our hearts. There are some who hate His influence; some are seeking for a better life, a life with hope and peace. Then there are those of us who know Him and are willing to follow Him all the way to the cross!
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