Hi how are you all today? I am well and have had a good week. it has been challenging at times but it is in those times that our trust in Jesus is tested. Are His promises true and if yes, then I need to just hold on. Sounds a bit like faith. How was your week?
This week I want to do something different and tell the story of Palm Sunday as if I were there. Now I may not get everything right but it may make us stop and ponder. So let’s go!
Walking into the market, I started to shop for meat I needed for tea. I already had the other ingredients at home but meat needed to be purchased every day or so.
As I paid for my meat, I heard a commotion in the street. What was it?
I quickly finished my purchase to see what the commotion was about. As I walked outside I could see a frustrated man shaking his fists at men leading a donkey. I heard him say that they needed to bring it back before sunrise.
That was strange, I thought as I made my way back home. The going was slow as it seemed lots of people were milling around and just taking their time catching up with those they knew as they walked past. I was new to Jerusalem having just moved here with my husband.
As I was walking along, above the din of other noises, I thought I heard singing and shouting. Everyone seemed to be moving off the road around me and I quickly joined them on the side of the road. I had no idea what was happening. Were the Roman soldiers marching this way? Was there a king from a distant land coming into Jerusalem? Maybe a leper was walking down the road or a Nazarene?
Trying to peek around the crowds, I stepped back onto the road. It was then I saw. A man had just come through the gate and was riding on a donkey. People ahead were laying down palm branches for the donkey to walk on. Who was this man? This was the treatment for a king.
As He came closer, I decided to join in and retrieved a palm branch from the nearest tree. It was hard to get off but I didn’t want to miss this occasion. I looked around the crowd and saw He was getting closer.
Then I heard the words they were shouting out-
Blessed is he who comes,
the king in God’s name!
All’s well in heaven!
Glory in the high places!
This was from that psalm. I knew it well so I started speaking them out loud. Soon it was my turn to put down the palm branch. I placed it down on the road then a few moments later, the donkey was straight in front of me. I could see the man clearly now. It was Jesus: the one who healed and delivered people. But why was He coming into Jerusalem like this? He never had before.
As the donkey went past I could see His face. It was not a face of someone soaking up the adoration but a face of someone with purpose on His mind.
As I went on my way, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was a meaning to this that I couldn’t see yet? Why would He come into Jerusalem like this? Didn’t He know it would upset the Romans and the Pharisees?
Oh well that was worth pondering for another day. I needed to get home to see which Passover lamb would be residing in the home with us for the next few days before it would be sacrificed. I hope my husband hadn’t chosen my favourite. Time to go home and see.
This story is completely fiction but some things worth pondering are:
- Why did Jesus make an entrance like this? He had never done so before.
- Was it to fulfil prophecy or was there some other meaning?
I am not sure I can answer those questions but let’s read up and find out. God has mysteries in His Word that we still haven’t found the answer to.
This week ponder on that story and put yourself in the picture. Jesus did all this for you and I. I, for one, am grateful.
Bless you and keep living the life God intended.
Karen
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