See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey…
MATTHEW 21:5
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the beginning of a week that rehearses the seven most significant days in a row this world has ever known. Nothing can match the significance of the incarnate Son of God, who…
….being found in appearance as a man,
humbled himself by becoming obedient to death –
even death on a cross!
PHILIPPIANS 2:8
But a crucifix doesn’t tell the whole story, does it? That would be like watching Lord of the Rings, and stopping at The Two Towers when The Return of the King – the grand finale – brings the redemption story to its grand conclusion.
But who would start with The Two Towers anyway, when The Fellowship of the Ring sets the stage for that amazing three act journey?
In a much more grand and significant drama, our Lord rides into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, fulfilling an Old Testament prophecy, and giving a glimpse of his future kingly reign.
Then a few days later, Good Friday fulfills Isaiah 53, as our Lord is offered up in our place, to take the punishment for our sins in our place.
And Easter Sunday is the climax, when David’s words that God’s holy one would not see corruption are vindicated by the empty tomb.
Let’s prayerfully enter into all three acts of the story of redemption. First, be praying for Kip Dochterman as he prepares to preach on Palm Sunday. Genesis 3 predicted the passion, and Jesus, knowing that he is “the seed of the woman,” rides into Jerusalem to face Satan head on, and to crush him. Love’s redeeming work has come.
Kenny Clark will be preaching on Good Friday, reminding us of the nature of the fight that took place on that cross, and what exactly was won in Christ’s victory.
Finally on Easter Sunday, Jackson Randall will help us understand how the resurrection makes all the difference in the here and now, and eternity yet to come.
Can you remember the satisfaction that came over you when you first viewed that final scene in The Return of the King, as the ring was finally destroyed forever? May God move our hearts in far more profound ways this Easter Week as we once more enter into the story of redemption.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. PHILIPPIANS 2:8-11
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