Pastor Wes Kinder Palm Sunday!
Our Lord starts on the trail the Father placed Him on earth to accomplish. He was preparing to go to the cross to die for our sins. He was the perfect sacrifice for all time. But the grave would have no hold on Him. He arose from the grave on Sunday, giving eternal life for all who would follow Him.
Jesus had traveled to Bethany, just a couple of miles east of Jerusalem. He had come from Jericho. Jesus was able to relax and have a quiet supper that evening with Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Mary had anointed the Lord with oil.
Then on Sunday, there would be a noisy public parade that proceeded from Bethany all the way to Jerusalem. Jesus was the reason for the parade! You see, the next Friday, Jesus would die on a cross, and He knew His death was His Father’s will. Jesus knew that He would be salvation to a lost world. Jesus continues to give us a living example of how to live a life for God.
All four of the Gospels record the event: Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19. Please take your Bible off the shelf and read from each of them of the details of this week from Sunday to Sunday! It won’t just change your life, it will change your eternity.
He rode in on a donkey colt, one that had never been ridden. Y’all ever try riding a young donkey that has never been ridden. Yes, Jesus is Lord of all!
Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (nasb) Here we have this parade with the path covered by coats and palm leaves. Jesus allowed this; it was the only time that He deemed it okay for folks to make a big deal out of Him during His ministry here. In doing so, Jesus publicly acknowledged Himself as Israel's King and Messiah. This, of course, upset the religious leaders tremendously. Jesus was proclaiming to be Messiah! Yep, God had a plan! And what a plan it was!
Jesus had two disciples go recover the young donkey that He was to ride into Jerusalem. He told them if anybody asked what they were doing to tell them, “The Lord has need of it.” How many times has God desired to involve you in what He is doing? How many times have you told Him, not right now, I’m busy? How many times has He said, I am in need of you; I need you to be my hands, my feet, my voice, I need your horse, or I need your pickup? Yet, we say maybe later, not now. Sometimes, we think about how hard it is to wait on God, but how many times has He had to wait on you and me? The Savior is waiting, let Him come in!
The Palm Sunday parade was all part of His plan. It set into motion what must take place for Jesus to go to the cross. Yes, God not only allowed it, He was the one who set it into motion. For God loves us so much He sent His Son. He even sent Him to the cross. And, of course, early on the Third Day it all made sense! He is Risen!
If you’re a Christian and you’re reading this, what have you done for Him? It’s time to ride for the Brand. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. What else is there? We’re burnin’ daylight. We know not the day or the time, so be ready. He wants you to be part of His plan! What are you going to do with it? That’s awesome!
Choose Jesus, choose life! And find a Bible believin’ church where you “fit in” and know, grow, and follow Christ! Tell others! See y’all at church and keep PRAYIN’ for HIS HARVEST! And y’all please KEEP PRAYIN’ for RAIN! It keeps the drought away! Amen.