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John 12:12-19, Matthew 27:50-54
Today, Christians can remember reading about how King Jesus rode into Jerusalem accompanied by an excited crowd with palm branches. Later, Matthew 27:50-54 says, “50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[a] went into the holy city and appeared to many people.54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
According to Christianity Today’s 12/21/21 article, Biblical Archaeology’s Top 10 Discoveries of 2021, “A luxurious public building located next to the Temple Mount has been excavated…Now that the excavation is complete, archaeologists have dated its construction to A.D. 20—during the lifetime of Jesus. The building contained two identical chambers, separated by an elaborate fountain. The luxurious nature of the facility and its adjacency to the Temple Mount indicates it was probably used by the elite members of the first-century Jewish community, the families of the high priests, and other leading religious figures. Archaeologists say it was damaged by an earthquake in A.D. 33, then later rebuilt and reconfigured into three vaulted halls. The destruction date suggests possible evidence of the earthquake recorded in the Gospel accounts at the crucifixion of Jesus.”
We Christians already know Jesus is real, but it feels satisfying to watch the evidence roll in. Happy Palm Sunday!
Last night, my family and I got the opportunity to go out of state to a Tobymac concert. It was thrilling to hear the football stadium-sized crowd cheer for Jesus! I’ve hoped for a long time to experience that! Tobymac sang, “Lights Shine Bright,” and some in the crowd, including us, were waving our flashlight-lit phones to the beat. Also, at one point in the evening, I noticed a kid that was wearing a shirt that said, “Mayo light shine” with a mayonnaise design. 🙂
It was beautiful to see people’s lights shining literally, and otherwise! Matthew 5:16 says, “16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
James 1:2, Romans 12:12, 2 Timothy 4:5
Paul’s righteous behavior is an example for everyone, though easier for Christians to grasp. He experienced a lot of hardship, but what made him stand out was his response. If others were exposed to the degree of hardship he faced, many would have buckled by grumbling and giving up.
What was Paul’s response to hardship? In Romans 12:12, he wrote, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
One of the most interesting parts in the Bible is Jesus’ words right before He’s arrested and what followed. Soldiers and Pharisees were coming after Jesus, but “they drew back and fell to the ground” after Jesus said, “I am he…”
Liberty Bible Commentary says about verse 6, “The crowd was caught off guard by the unusual behavior of Christ. He calmly faced the crowd, identified Himself, and made no effort to escape.”
I wanted a visual for the action in John 18:4-6 and found a 2003 movie called, The Gospel of John. With eager anticipation, I watched the scene where the actor for Jesus said, “I am he” and watched closely as Roman soldiers looked slightly fearful and walked backward a few steps. Someone behind them seemed to have fallen since they looked down behind them. Seriously? If I could have directed that scene, I would want at least 10 falling Pharisees and soldiers. Bummer.
My wonderful husband, John, pointed me to a place with palm branches last week so we could celebrate Palm Sunday in Children’s Church today. As I started to pass out palm branches this morning, one boy asked if he could have two. I gladly gave him two and then of course the other kids wanted (and got) two too. As we sang, “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna,” it felt so good to see everyone praising God waving those branches. I told them they could take them home where they could continue to praise Jesus.
In the third verse of “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” it says, “…O may we ever praise Him with heart and life and voice, and in His blissful presence eternally rejoice!” Today this verse reminds me of Rev. 7:9-10, where the disciple John saw a colossal crowd before Jesus and the throne. They held palm branches, and with a deafening shout, shouted, “Salvation comes from our God upon the throne, and from the Lamb.” They were praising Him loudly.
Will you give Jesus a shout-out today? HOSANNA!
I hope that someday in Heaven, the scene is recreated of Jesus going into Jerusalem on an unridden colt surrounded by a crowd wielding palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna!” As you read this account you can feel the excitement. I wonder if the new colt tossed its head in reaction to the frenzied crowd.
As I went shopping this afternoon for palm branches, I wasn’t feeling the world’s excitement. I went to three different stores and although there were plenty of pink rabbit planters and neon-colored polka dot plastic eggs for Easter, there were no palm branches. I came home empty-handed except for a bag of popcorn that looked good. I was surprised since Palm Sunday is this upcoming Sunday and Easter is the week after that.
As I got in the car, I turned on a Christian radio station and heard the words of Sidewalk Prophets’ song, “Help Me Find It.” I had to smile.
Luke 12:1, Romans 10:9, John 14: 2-3, 15
When I was a kid, my parents took my sister and my grandma to the Grand Ole Opry to see Loretta Lynn. Mom said that the crowd was calm getting tickets, but since there was no reserved seating, when only one or two gates of all of the gates, opened, the crowd changed to a swarm, pushing to get through. We had no choice but to submit to the momentum of the crowd. Mom and Dad held on firmly to us and we reached seats in safety.
In Luke, there was a crowd of thousands upon thousands trying to experience Jesus. In their struggle to get to Him, they began “trampling on one another.” Jesus was and is famous. If you want to see Him someday and you’re not saved, you can ask Him to forgive your sins, believe He rose from the dead, proclaim that He is Lord, and follow His commands. Then, He will make arrangements for your reserved place in Heaven. He already knows your name. Place your reservations today!
Jesus certainly had enemies on earth, but he also had a lot of fans. At one point in Luke, a massive crowd traveled to hear Jesus. Many came hoping for healing. The people were rewarded for seeking Jesus. As many people as there were, ALL of them attempted to touch Jesus since power was emanating from Him. Do you know what happened? They were ALL healed!
Can you imagine that scene? I picture Jesus with His arms out, with too many pleading people pushing and desperately trying to reach out and touch Him. I searched online to see any art inspired from this Scripture. However, I was disappointed to see lame art. What I saw was a still, sparse group of people looking rather relaxed and definitely not trying to get to Him. Nevertheless, we can still try to visualize that great event.
Do you need healing? Seek our Super Savior!
In Matthew, Jesus clarified the meaning of the word, “unclean” to a crowd. His disciples asked him if he knew he offended the Pharisees. Surely the disciples knew that Jesus said exactly what he meant to say with no regrets. Jesus was and is truth.
Big Bible Fan 