Often Palm Sunday is a beautiful observance. There may be palm branches ( or some local substitute). A Gospel about Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem may be read (this year from Mark 11:1-11), and there are probably some rousing hymns or songs of praise. Christians of all sorts like to praise Jesus, and even many "nice" unbelievers don't mind joining in if it is a pretty spring morning.
Yet, in truth, sometimes we don't stop to consider the deeper meanings of the commemoration. Jesus comes as a peaceful and humble King to claim His throne, and the crowd seems to acknowledge His kingship. They use Messianic titles and shout "Hosanna" which means "save now." However, there is another aspect of Palm Sunday. People had some contradictory views about what it meant to be saved and about what Christ was doing. Many in the crowd were looking for political salvation from Roman oppression, and they hoped that Palm Sunday signaled the start of the great Jewish Revolt under the leadership of Jesus the Messiah.
Those people including some of the disciples, misunderstood. They had not grasped the spiritual and moral implications of the salvation that Jesus proclaimed. They did not see that His entry into Jerusalem was a moment for repentance and conversion, a time to choose a higher way. Palm Sunday was also Passion Sunday, and it was a time of humility, suffering, and sacrifice. It was not a time for a great military or political victory, but a time for victory over sin and death through the cross and resurrection. And because of their misunderstanding and impatience, many members of that crowd were likely among another crowd that would soon shout "crucify him" (Mark 15:13-14).
For us then, Palm Sunday is both an exhortation and a warning. Even though we may have heard the message of Jesus many times, we still have incomplete understandings of His work. We tend to focus on great displays and worldly blessings just as the Jerusalem crowds did. And we prefer deliverance without the cross. So we need a renewed focus on the spiritual dimensions of Palm Sunday and Holy Week. We need to understand the spiritual character of salvation that Jesus offers. We need to be patient and see how Jesus chooses to bring our salvation. Jesus is the deliverer who comes in the name of His heavenly Father rather than in the name of worldly power.
Those people including some of the disciples, misunderstood. They had not grasped the spiritual and moral implications of the salvation that Jesus proclaimed. They did not see that His entry into Jerusalem was a moment for repentance and conversion, a time to choose a higher way. Palm Sunday was also Passion Sunday, and it was a time of humility, suffering, and sacrifice. It was not a time for a great military or political victory, but a time for victory over sin and death through the cross and resurrection. And because of their misunderstanding and impatience, many members of that crowd were likely among another crowd that would soon shout "crucify him" (Mark 15:13-14).
For us then, Palm Sunday is both an exhortation and a warning. Even though we may have heard the message of Jesus many times, we still have incomplete understandings of His work. We tend to focus on great displays and worldly blessings just as the Jerusalem crowds did. And we prefer deliverance without the cross. So we need a renewed focus on the spiritual dimensions of Palm Sunday and Holy Week. We need to understand the spiritual character of salvation that Jesus offers. We need to be patient and see how Jesus chooses to bring our salvation. Jesus is the deliverer who comes in the name of His heavenly Father rather than in the name of worldly power.
No comments:
Post a Comment