The streets leading into the city and within were gorged with a mix of fervent devotees and curious hopefuls. Near-fanatical cheering and unrestrained palm-waving signaled this day as remarkably special. Could this reported miracle-worker and rabbi-extraordinaire be the one the nation of Israel had long awaited? Could he be the people’s Messiah?
If the crowd was any indication what the popular opinion held, then there’s no question. But oh how quickly things can turn!
Just five days later, some from this same crowd were spotted cheering again, only this time they weren’t lifting their praise with“Crown Him!”; they were pleading the government with “Crucify Him!”
Oh how fickle the nature of man! AThrone or a tree? A crown or a cross? If this man really was Messiah, then by every and all means, get that crown on His Head! But herein lay the inexplicable dynamic that weds together Palm Sunday and Bad Friday. The crowd couldn’t coronate Jesus until they had crucified Him. Huh?
If Jesus had sidestepped the cross and assumed His rightful crown, then all of us would still be languishing hopelessly in our lost condition. To learn more on this subject, come this Sunday to our Palm Sundayservice where we herald the message of hope.
