On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, heralded by a "very great multitude" of people who obviously believed in him. This was one of few events of the Savior's mortal ministry that was recorded in all four gospels.
What I wonder is what it would have been like to be in that crowd. At that time, believing in Jesus wasn't very popular. One man, blind since birth, had been expelled from the synagogue because he testified to the Sanhedrin that Jesus had given him sight. The ruling leaders, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees all publicly opposed Him, and within the next few days, a crowd of angry residents of Jerusalem would prove more bloodthirsty than the Romans and call for Jesus' death by torture. And while all would forsake Him the night in Gethsemene, now they didn't. Now they shouted for joy, they waved palm branches, they spread their garments in the street.
They made it known that Jesus was important to them. Do we do that? Do we take the time to share with others what we think and feel about the Christ? Do we allow ourselves to be counted among the believers, even in ways that will be inconvenient? This Restoration is only a second Triumphal Entry, a time when we can prepare for our Lord and share with words, deeds, and symbols just how much Jesus means to us. The battle is won, the victor decided on that Sunday we will celebrate in a week. Now, we're just awaiting the victory lap and deciding whether we want to side with truth and life or misery and death.
Being in that crowd would have been an awesome experience! I have been to large arenas to hear prophets speak and it was sort of the same feeling. Sharing my love of Christ is sometimes difficult because it is so personal to me but I am trying to do better.
ReplyDelete