Today's Reading: St. John 12:12-19
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 8:1-32; Hebrews 1:1-14
“So the Pharisees said to one another, ‘You see that we are gaining nothing. Look!! The whole world has gone after Him.’” (St. John 12:19)
Happy Holy Week! In the name of Jesus. Amen. There was a parade into Jerusalem that day! Jesus riding in on the royal donkey. A King, one like David, had returned.
“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” They sang. Everyone was having a happy Lent! (Except they didn’t know it was Lent!)
They really didn’t get it. They didn’t understand what was going on, all that was being fulfilled in Jesus. Salvation was literally happening right before their eyes. The Word, promised by the prophets, was being fulfilled in Christ. Here was the promised King, who would come not to conquer nations by means of armies and rebellions, but to die.
It’s already starting on Palm Sunday. The Pharisees are huddled in the corner as the parade passes by. They’re not impressed by the palms, by the donkey, by the whole display. They just want Jesus dead and out of the picture.
They’ll get what they want soon enough, on Good Friday. He will be turned over into the hands of sinners, beaten, mocked, stripped naked, and crucified. Above His head on the Cross will be the official proclamation of His Kingship “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
Still, our King rides into His city without pomp or circumstance. He rides, fulfilling the Scriptures. He rides, headed to the Cross to win your salvation. He rides to be silenced by the Pharisees for three days, to die, and to rise again on the third day.
Just like the crowds today, you sing glad Hosannas as He comes to you, bearing His forgiveness and eternal life. He comes to you, not riding on a donkey, but in, with, and under the bread and the wine of His Supper.
It’s a Happy Lent on Palm Sunday. The King returns to His city and the people sing with joy. You sing, too, because you understand what they didn’t get—Jesus is riding in to die for you. Happy Lent! Happy Holy Week! In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
“Almighty and everlasting God, You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross. Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of His great humility and patience and be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.” (Collect for Palm Sunday)