Our Scripture meditation is based on John 12:12-16, the start of one of next week’s Gospel Readings, which is Palm Sunday. For a meditation on the appointed Psalm, click HERE.
[12] The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. [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!” [14] And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,
[15] “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”
[16] His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.
We are preparing for a bittersweet celebration.
Palm Sunday is the start of Jesus’ passion. And what a glorious start. Jesus is declared King in three different ways:
- The palm branches were symbols of royalty.
- The people were crying out the Jesus was “the King of Israel”
- The Apostle John quotes Zarachiah 9:9 to show Jesus is fulfilling a prophesy about being King.
Yet this celebration is casting a dark shadow. Jesus’ kingship will be used against Him. Jewish leaders will use this truth to deceive and pressure the Roman rulers, ensuring Jesus goes to the cross. (Luke 23:2, 23:38).
This shadow covers us as well. We know full well that, ultimately, our sins placed Jesus on that cross. For that reason, we can’t wait for the end of Jesus’ Passion, so that we can celebrate our risen King.
Until next week, the Lord bless and guide.
Kevin Wilson 360 