INSPIRASUNS

Today we begin Holy Week. The most solemn week of the year for Christians as we remember Jesus’ last days. Today we celebrate Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

As I think about Palm Sunday, I can’t even imagine Jesus’ thoughts. He rode on that donkey into Jerusalem knowing that He would be tried and ultimately crucified. He knew his fate, He knew the outcome and He went into the city willingly. Could I make that ride?

The palms on Palm Sunday represent the palm fronds that were laid on the ground or waved as Jesus rode into the city. People saying, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”. These same people would call for his crucifixion just a few days later. Side fact…in many churches, like ours, parishioners bring their palms home each year, and then they are used the following year, and burned to make the ashes for Ash Wednesday.

Palm Sunday is also referred to as Passion Sunday. This is the day we read the Passion Gospel, the last walk of Jesus, from Judas agreeing to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver to the end of Jesus’ life. It’s an emotional reading and when we get to the point in the reading where the congregation says “Crucify Him”, I well up and feel so guilty. I can’t help but wonder, would I have been in that crowd back then?

As we begin this journey of Holy Week, I look forward to sharing what each day means, and what it means for me. We may not observe each day the same based on our spiritual traditions, but what matters is that we remember this week and the ultimate sacrifice that our Lord Jesus made for us. The love that He has for us is immeasurable and I thank Him every day for this sacrifice.

Let the journey begin.

John 12:13
So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”