Zechariah 9:9
“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
As I write this, it is early Sunday morning, April 20th. What is significant about this date? It is the day we should be celebrating Palm Sunday. The change in the calendar system from the Jewish calendar to the Gregorian has caused a conflict that is very obvious this year.
This day is very special in the hearts and minds of all true believers. It was on this day so many years ago, that our Savior rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. It was a symbol of Him becoming our Passover Lamb who would shed his blood for our sins.
In preparation for the first Passover in Egypt, the people were to cut off a perfect lamb from the rest of the flock. This lamb was to be carefully loved and cared for during the week before it was to be slain, and the blood applied on the door of their house.
Jesus was cut off on this very day and during the week He was subjected to the most rigorous examination that the religious leaders of that day could muster. They used direct questioning, but also stooped to trick questions in order to find some fault in Him.
Even at His mock trial it was evident to Pilate that He was innocent. In Luke 23:13-14, we read the conclusion of Pilate after hearing the accusations against Jesus: “Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, ‘You brought me this Man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against Him.’ ”
Jesus came in a lowly manner. It was necessary for Him to die. It was only His shed blood that could take away your sin—my sin. None of us could ever be good enough to merit eternal life. The curse of Adam’s sin has been passed upon each and every one of us. Without a sacrificial Lamb to die and have His blood applied to the doorposts of our life, we are eternally lost!
As Jesus entered Jerusalem so long ago, there were shouts of praise and joy. People had heard Him or heard about Him and wanted to have His miracles propel Him into the position of their earthly king—the promised Messiah!
Words and actions are fickle. Some of the very people who were singing and shouting as He entered the city on that first Palm Sunday would soon be shouting that Pilate release, Barabbas and crucify Jesus!
How about you? Is your faith and trust conditioned upon how it will benefit you? Do you have a sort of “Foxhole” commitment? (I will serve you Lord, if you get me out of this mess). Have you applied the shed blood of Jesus Christ to your life? I invite you to pray this prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I need You in my life. Without You to cover my sins, I am eternally lost. There is nothing that I have done or that I can ever do to deserve Your love and forgiveness, but it is the only way I can be saved. I open the door of my heart and invite You to come in. Please be the Lord of my life and make me the kind of person I ought to be. In Your name I pray. Amen!”
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
— Pastor Cecil