ST. MATTHEW 21:8-9
SUNDAY-MONDAY, APRIL 1-2, 2007
PALM SUNDAY
8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others
cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the
multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “
Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘ Blessed is He who comes in the name of
the LORD! Hosanna in the highest!” St. Matthew 21:8-9 (NKJV)
The text for today is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy in
Zechariah 9:9-10. It is the fulfillment of the Triumphant Entry into
Jerusalem by Jesus. We call it Palm Sunday.
I know of one congregation where in past years worshipers have been
greeted by a donkey as they come to the door of the church. This to
symbolize the donkey that Jesus rode on that day.
Once inside the church we might hear the “THE PALMS” being sung or
played and possibly children or even all of the worshipers are marching
up and down the aisles waving the palms they are holding. The service
continues with Praise and the singing of many Hosannas. When the service
ends, the donkey goes back to the pasture and the palms are either taken
home or saved for burning next year to provide the ashes for Ash
Wednesday. It can be a very impressive Service that people will remember
throughout Holy Week.
In all of the pageantry, there is a point that we often miss. The people
took their clothes and placed them on the road where Jesus would travel.
The purpose of this was to keep the dust from rising and getting Jesus
dirty. The people must have seen that dust was still stirring so they
quickly took palm branches from the tree and spread them on top of the
clothes. As I have thought about this over the years I see two important
lessons.
How many of us would take off our coat and put it on a dirty road for a
donkey and many people to walk on? Many would probably say that the coat
cost too much to be ruined that way. Some might say that Jesus had
gotten his feet dirty while walking all these years and since he is on
the donkey, why bother?
The second lesson asks if there is a purpose in placing the clothes and
palm branches on the dirt road other than to keep feet from getting
dirty? There is no hint given, but in my mind I can see this as a
preview to Good Friday when Jesus shed His Blood to totally cover our
sins, to cleanse us from the dirt of sin in our lives.
I urge you to think and pray about these two thoughts. It has made Palm
Sunday more meaningful for me, and I pray that it will for you also.
WE PRAY: LORD, so many times we want to save the best and give you the
rest. As you entered Jerusalem to the shouts of Praise, you were
prepared to give us not only the best, but also all of the rest, that we
might have life in you. Thank you Lord for saving my soul, Thank you
Lord for making me whole. Thank you Lord for giving to me Thy great
salvation so rich and free. AMEN
A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION
Ask yourself this question:
If it is really important that Jesus gave His Life and shed His Blood
for me, how much am I willing to give up for Him?