"The next day the great crowd of pilgrims who had come for the festival, hearing that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem, went out to meet Him with palm branches in their hands, shouting, 'Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!' "
Today is a day of adoration. The pilgrims, who had come from Galilee and other outlying areas, knew Jesus and loved Him. "Hosanna!" they cried. A far cry from the angry political and religious mob we hear just five short days later, shouting, "Crucify!"
Just the day before, Mary had anointed Jesus, pouring the costly pure oil of nard over His feet, and wiping it lovingly with her hair. Now, without understanding what they were doing, the pilgrims were choosing their Passover lamb. (Rev 7:9)
This lamb, traditionally chosen four days before the feast, was brought into their homes and hearts. Who hasn't looked into the sweet face of a baby lamb and felt their heart melt with tenderness? Imagine slaughtering this animal after it lived with you in your house, even for four short days, and we might get just a hint, a mere whiff of the agony of Christ's sacrifice.
It should break our hearts in two.
But those are meditations for Good Friday. Today we celebrate the coming of our King, as He enters His beloved city. The palm branches signify victory and on this side of the cross, we know Christ, victorious over death and the grave! (1 Cor 15:57)
The palm branches also reflect back to the Feast of the Tabernacles (Lev 23:40), which points forward... to Christ.
skēnoō - tabernacle
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt (tabernacled) among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)
He came that we might know the Father and get a glimpse of heaven on earth. The pilgrims had a glimpse of the Divine and believed, declaring Him blessed and Israel's true King. Those in authority believed but refused to acknowledge Him because they valued their reputation rather than the honor which comes from God. (John 12:43)
Today, when you catch that glimpse of the divine, may your soul cry out, "Hosanna, oh, save!" and may you receive the blessing of salvation.
The palm branches also reflect back to the Feast of the Tabernacles (Lev 23:40), which points forward... to Christ.
skēnoō - tabernacle
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt (tabernacled) among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)
He came that we might know the Father and get a glimpse of heaven on earth. The pilgrims had a glimpse of the Divine and believed, declaring Him blessed and Israel's true King. Those in authority believed but refused to acknowledge Him because they valued their reputation rather than the honor which comes from God. (John 12:43)
Today, when you catch that glimpse of the divine, may your soul cry out, "Hosanna, oh, save!" and may you receive the blessing of salvation.
Blessings,
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If you read something here that inspired you, I’d love to hear about it. Please know I appreciate every comment! Thanks so much for stopping by! Blessings, June