Palm Sunday

“Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes over it, and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Mark 11:7-9)

Before the feast of Easter, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem with His disciples. Their path led through Bethany and Bethphage, situated on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. In Bethphage, Jesus covered the remaining short distance seated on the back of a donkey.

He arranged for the donkey in a peculiar way, sending His disciples to an unnamed person to fetch the colt. He disposed of this man’s property as if it were His own. But truly, what do we humans possess that does not already belong to Him? According to our hymns and our confession of faith, we profess: we are not our own, but we belong to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of this colt. When He arrived, some spread their cloaks on the road, while others laid down palm branches. On this Palm Sunday, Jesus comes to us as well. There are many things we, too, must lay at His feet. We must bring Him our gratitude and our joy. We must thank Him because, amidst the uncertainty surrounding us, He does not abandon us. He comes; He enters our lives. This time, He does not ask for a donkey. He asks for our hearts, so that He may dwell with us forever. Amen.

PRAYER: Precious Jesus, I am joyful that on this beautiful Palm Sunday, You come to me and seek me out as well. I consecrate my heart and my entire life to You. I have nothing that is not already Yours; and I know that You watch over everything that belongs to You. I thank You for this! Amen.