Palm Sunday was a big deal growing up especially at the Catholic church. Each person that attended church on that Sunday got a palm branch to take home. A reminder of how Jesus was exalted that day. Some churches still give out palm branches on this day. Maybe you’re familiar with the story from the Bible about the laying of branches down as Jesus rode in on a donkey or maybe you’re not. Let’s look at the story from the Bible together from the book of Mark.
“Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna![a]”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]
10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.” ~ Mark 11:1-11 (NIV)
A King who rode on a donkey atop a cloak. Not a royal horse. Not a royal robe. Yet, He was given what seemed to be a royal “parade.” He was cheered and hailed. But, it didn’t last.
How often do we give our hearts to Jesus, yet turn tail when it get too hard? Or it doesn’t look like what we thought it would be to follow a Savior who willingly gave all?
I know in my walk with Jesus, I’ve had questions. I’ve been skeptical. I’ve allowed doubt to rule over trust. But does that stop Jesus from loving me? No. I know I can go to Him with every single thing that’s on my heart.
I also know what it’s like to walk through life without personally knowing Jesus and there’s no way I want to go back there.
Jesus never made Himself out to be better than anyone. Yet, He most assuredly was. He didn’t flaunt who He was in anyone’s face. Although, He could have. He simply did as His Father asked.
The love He has for me, is like none I’ve ever known. Most times, I can’t comprehend it. It doesn’t make sense. There’s not even anything I can compare it to because I’ve not witnessed that kind of selfless love nor do I think I’ve ever been able to offer that type of love.
In a world that’s all about tit for tat, and what’s in it for me, how do we, as followers of Christ, make a difference?
It’s simple. Yet, ever so complicated. Sing it with me, because I bet you already know the words:
“And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love”.
And where does that come from? Good question:
“”A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” ~ John 13:34-35 (NIV)
Love. It’s a four-letter word that holds more meaning than I can even begin to imagine.
Love suffered, died on a cross, and was buried.
We think love is a mushy, poopsie, whoopsie, feeling, when in fact the very definition of love is Jesus. There was nothing mushy or poopsie, whoopsie in the way He displayed His love for us. It was filled with excruciating pain beyond this gal’s comprehension.
Love in action will most assuredly look more like sacrifice, than googly eyes cast in our direction. Just as easily as someone can look at you with googly eyes, they can shoot mental ” fiery darts” at you with those same eyes.
I’m sure we’ve all given and been the recipient of the “look”.
As we head into Easter week, I pray you know that Jesus knew what was coming for Him. He knew He would be betrayed, yet He washed the feet of His betrayer. How crazy is that? He knew His disciples would desert Him. He knew and He didn’t run from it. He stayed the course. Blows my mind.
Once we begin to comprehend what and who love is, then, and only then, will the world know we are Christians, by our love, by our love.
Blessed to be Broken 