A New Palm Sunday

As a church goer my entire life, the season of Easter has always been special. And as someone who’s calling has been to music ministry, it’s always been an extremely busy season. From Palm Sunday, that celebrates Jesus’ triumphant entry to Jerusalem, to Good Friday, remembering Jesus’ death on the cross, to the glorious morning of Easter, the celebration of the Resurrected King, the Easter season encapsulates the entire meaning of the Christian life!

This past Sunday was Palm Sunday. As I participated in our amazing worship at church on Sunday, the picture of Jesus being celebrated along the road as he made his way into the city for the final week of his life here on earth was on my heart. I tried to imagine the joy and exuberance the people must have felt. Of course, they didn’t understand what would happen just a few days later, but the joy they felt that day was probably overwhelming!

If I were there in the crowd, what would I have felt? What would I have shouted? Knowing me, I probably would have been singing at the top of my lungs! The words of David in Psalm 34, when he realized that King Saul wanted him dead, keep coming to mind as the perfect exhalation for the celebration of the humble King riding on the back of a young donkey on his way to the cross; the final joyful moments before becoming the lamb who takes away the sins of the world.

Psalm 34

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he save me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

Taste and see that the Lord is good, oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord. Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!

Calamity will surely overtake the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished, but the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

May the joy of the triumphant entry fill your heart and mind today. May the peace that only comes from God wash over you as we travel to the cross this week. May you be reminded that Jesus’ love for you is so strong and overwhelming that he road a donkey towards his own death so you would be able to fly on the wings of eagles to be with Him in Heaven for all of eternity! Amen and amen!