The Passion Week - Sunday

Here we are again, facing the time of year that Christians celebrate the Passion of the Christ. The Gospel accounts give attention to this important event. Of the 89 chapters in the Gospels, only 4 record the first 30 years of His life. Yet, they give almost 1/4 of the chapters to the final week to His resurrection. Obviously this is vital and important for us. Over the next few days (until Easter Sunday), we are going to walk with the Master. Using the timeline as developed by Dr. Harold Willmington, let us remember and be ministered too.

Today, let us meditate upon the Sunday before the Crucifixion. Read the account in Matthew 21:1-11. Pause and muse over the account. What a day of joyous celebration. On this day, Jesus received the only "ticker-tape" parade of His life. However, the exaltation will be short-lived. How excited the followers of Jesus must have been. It seemed all Jerusalem - all of Jewry - was recognizing the Messiah. The cries of Blessed is the King of Israel (John 12:13) was probably ringing in their ears as they laid down to sleep that night.

Jesus chose to ride on the foal of a donkey. He did this to fulfill prophecy and to show the value of little things. God often uses what we might see as insignificant things to accomplish His grand divine will. The people called out the word "Hosanna" over and over. The word is only found 5 times in the Bible, and all but one of them occur here in the triumphal entry. In Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary, he states that the word in the Hebrew means "save, we pray." While originally the word was probably a cry for help, it had been turned into a utterance of praise. The people's cry on this day was from Psalm 118 which was recited during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Today, ponder the importance of this cry. It is a form of praise today, yet, when we understand the meaning - save, we pray - it stands out as what we need. Those who call out on this Sunday,will cry out again on Friday - Crucify Him! Will we be as fickle? Do we truly understand?

Prayer: Gracious Heavenly Father, may I stand in truth. May I call out to the only Savior - Hosanna. May I understand my need and His provision. Let me not be fickle in my beliefs. I pray this in His precious name, Amen.