A Day of Recognition

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, O Daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

God had not wanted the Israelites to have an earthly king, but they longed to be like the countries around them. So Israel suffered through years of bad leaders. “And the Lord told him (the prophet Samuel), ‘Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.’ ” Samuel 8:7-9

Days before Passover, Jesus entered Jerusalem while people were shouting and waving palm branches. They had heard of the miracles of healing and provision and, most recently, the resurrection of the dead. The shouts of “Hosanna” were actually requests to “Save us!” On this, they were right. Jesus is the only one who can save. He was establishing His kingdom unlike any of the Jews thought it could be.

Jesus’ main purpose in coming to Earth was to restore mankind to God. He came to give of Himself so that we might live. He knew that humans would not understand His role as the sacrificial lamb, but He gave anyway.

His coming was planned from the beginning and is woven throughout the Bible. He told His disciples, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” Luke 24:44

Mankind allows other things to rule their lives, chasing after what will never bring true happiness. We have a Savior who is waiting for us to give the throne of our hearts back to Him. Satan will fight this with everything he has, but the battle is the Lord’s, and it has already been won.

"Palm Sunday" celebrates a day of praise for a fulfilled prophecy. But it must also represent the coming of recognition, for us as much as for those on the streets of Jerusalem. Jesus is our salvation, our Promised Savior.

We, too, shout Hosanna to the King.

Give me again the joy that comes from Your salvation, make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:12

The Lord is God, and He has made His light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, and I will exalt You. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 118:27-29