Palm Sunday, The Road to Sacrifice

When Jesus entered Jerusalem at the beginning of the last week of his Earthly life, it is clear from what we are told in Luke 19:37-38 that the common people believed he was the conquering King Zechariah had spoken of in Zechariah 9:9-10. For them, this was the beginning of the end of their submission to Roman rule, and the beginning of the new age when the King of Israel would rule the whole world with Jerusalem as his capital. Finally, they would no longer no strife, poverty, and violence against them, but would live always in peace and prosperity.

For some preachers today the meaning and purpose of Christ is to bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to the lives of those who accept him. They preach that knowing Jesus means finding out how special you are, and having the best life right now in this current age. That is probably about what the common folks of ancient Israel were thinking about Jesus as he entered Jerusalem for the last time. And it is entirely the incorrect way to think about Palm Sunday. For Jesus had already explained his reason for being in the world in John 3:17. He had come not to conquer and destroy, but to be the way the whole world could be saved. He had come to be the atoning sacrifice for all men.

Here is the question faced by the disciples of Jesus during his day, and by his followers today: does discipleship mean being part of a conquering army physically fighting and destroying God's enemies in righteous indignation? (Luke 9:54) Or does discipleship mean following Jesus down the road to Calvary which leads to suffering and death? The answer is, since Jesus came to live a life of sacrifice for the sake of other and the glory of God, his true disciple must live the same way. Not as people who look upon those who reject Jesus with a desire to call God to rain fire down on them, but to look at them with the same heart felt love of Jesus. Discipleship means sacrificing your own ideas, wants, feelings, and needs for those God loves so much that he gave his only begotten son. (John 3:16) It does not mean being part of a conquering army that enters into Earthy cities in triumphal parades, but being a self sacrificing servant whose reward lies in the future age when we shall live with God in his glory.

So as we enter into our houses of worship on this Palm Sunday, may we begin preparing ourselves for the road ahead. A road of sacrifice, suffering, and even death for the saving of the world and the glory of God

May God bless you and grant you his peace.

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