Christian Symbol - Weekly Devotion 2
Palm Sunday
March 24, 2024

(John 12:12–18, NIV84) “The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him.” 

Christians should recognize the events of this day, six days before he was crucified, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and was welcomed and praised by the people. 

John has just told us about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. The great number of people who were in Jerusalem for the Passover welcomed Jesus with palm branches – an entire ‘red carpet greeting’. 

They praised him abundantly. But even his closest disciples didn’t understand what it all meant at first. And we know only what it meant because God’s written Word tells us. 

Every time you read any section of Scripture, and especially if you read more than one verse, you will find application to many things that are going through your mind, especially things that trouble you. 

What a great reason to Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39, KJV 1900) or, as we read in another good translation: You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,” (John 5:39, NIV84)

Prayer

Merciful and everlasting God, who has not spared Thine only-begotten Son, but delivered Him up for us all that He might bear our sins upon the cross, grant that our hearts may be so fixed with steadfast faith in Him that we may not fear the power of any adversaries. This we ask in the name of that same Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen

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