After three years ministering from town to town, healing and proclaiming that the kingdom of God is near, the events of passion week accelerate. How many times have we heard Jesus tell his disciples and the beneficiaries of his miraculous healing to keep quiet? But now suddenly, at his triumphal entry, Jesus makes it clear that the time for silence is over.
“As Jesus makes his westward descent down the Mount of Olives and toward the Holy City, the crowds rightly interpret his actions with expectant joy and respond in kind by spreading robes and leafy palm branches in his pathway to create a royal red carpet and by acclaiming him their Davidic King.” (The Final Days of Jesus; Andreas Köstenberger and Justin Taylor)
With their shouts of “Hosanna!” the multitude of disciples were correctly identifying Jesus as God’s promised deliverer.
“It would be hard to overestimate the political and religious volatility incited by Jesus’ actions… Up to this point in Jesus’ ministry, he could have still managed to live a long, happy, peaceful life, but his actions on Sunday set in motion a series of events that could result only in either his overthrow of the Romans and the current religious establishment – or his brutal death. He has crossed the point of no return; there would be no turning back. Caesar could allow no rival kings.” (The Final Days of Jesus; Andreas Köstenberger and Justin Taylor)
The events of Palm Sunday started the countdown clock to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. Join us Friday at 6pm as we remember the horrible cost Jesus paid at the cross as he was “delivered up for our trespasses (Romans 4:25)” and again on Sunday at 9 or 11 am as we celebrate His triumphant victory over sin and death as he walks out of the tomb having destroyed the one who has the power of death, delivering us from the fear of death forever (Hebrews 2:14-15). Randall Gruendyke will be preaching on Good Friday and Erik Thoennes on Easter Sunday. Would you pray for both as they prepare?
Who do you know who needs to hear this good news? There’s still time to extend an invitation to join us this week. See you Friday and Sunday, Grace!
Song Link of the Week
Well Done, Good and Faithful by Andrew Peterson
For the joy set before him he endured
And is seated at the right hand of the throne
Well done, good and faithful, well done
Well done, good and faithful One