A reflection on Palm Sunday:

Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.

Jesus rode into Jerusalem humbly, yet amid fanfare. People waving palm branches before Him, or laying them at the feet of the young donkey Jesus was astride, all crying Hosanna, Hosanna.

Maybe some of them had a stirring in their souls that this man, this worker of miracles and teacher of wisdom, came from God. That He had a high purpose beyond what they fully could grasp.

Some though, maybe most, hoped He would be the Messiah as they wanted Him to be- the one who would throw out the hated Romans and return Israel to self rule and greatness. They were looking for an earthly kingdom, when Christ had come to do so much more.

He, who was sinless, had come to make atonement for those who would believe in Him and call upon His Name for salvation. He had come to rescue the broken, save the sinner, restore the lost. He had come so that those who believe in Him might be secured for eternity, co-heirs in the Kingdom of God. An earthly kingdom was not on His agenda as He rode into Jerusalem; His sights were set upon the eternal.

This Palm Sunday, as we begin the holiest week in the Christian faith, who are you looking for Christ to be? Are you looking for a part-time Lord, at your convenience, a sort of feel good Messiah who does tricks or miracles upon command and will overlook a half hearted faith in the end? If so, friend, you are not serving Christ, and in the end, His death and resurrection will not save you. You must have a living, committed faith- a transforming belief- that marks you as His.

Today on Palm Sunday, raise branches of praise within your heart, and let your lips utter gladly, "Hosanna in the Highest, Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord." See Christ as He is; the Son of God, very God of very God, part of the Triune God-head, who loves you enough to have ridden into Jerusalem knowing the betrayal, torture and death that awaited. He is Holy, and Just, Merciful and Loving. He is all the high and noble things we are not, and His righteousness and blood washes us clean. He is Lord and can save you, if you call upon Him and believe with a true faith.

Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.

-Beth Butler