Pastor’s Column 4/13/2025

PASTOR’S COLUMN

12 “The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet Him,  shouting, “Hosana!”  “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: 15“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion, see. your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” 16 At first His disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about Him and that these things  had been done to Him.”

John 12:12-16, NIV

Palm Sunday - “Present But Missing!”

In celebrating Palm Sunday what is not lost on us is the jubilation accorded Jesusas He entered the borders of  Jerusalem days before His crucifixion. The crucifixion in the Roman Empire was for citizens or non-citizens a horrible form ofcapital death. To defy Caesar’s laws was death! The Romans in crucifying Jesus was told He committed treason against the state, by allegedly referring to Himself as a king. If Jesus had committed such a crime, His death would have been legal by the state. This was the fate of 90 million people, living in 11.9 million square miles. But it was not at Rome’s decision or command that Jesus was headed to the Cross on that day after the Sabbath. The prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, foretold the coming of Jesus riding on a humble young donkey into Zion, the city of Jerusalem. Unlike kings who customarily entered cities with pomp and fanfare on gallant horses or in ornate chariots, Jesus would enter the city humble. He was bringing salvation to the people. Palm branches were waved high! The donkey’s mission was to serve. The Old Testament patriarchs who were in the earthly genealogy of Jesus, all rode on donkeys. The people shouted Zechariah’s song of victory – a Hosanna praise to Jesus. But they did not at that time, fully understand, Jesus was Messiah – Savior, and not merely a proud earthly king!