Wednesday, March 25, 2015

The Lesson of Palm Sunday

“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.  If anyone asks you, “Why are you doing this?” tell him, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.”’

They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, ‘What are you doing, untying that colt?’ They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, ‘Hosanna!’ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!  Hosanna in the highest!’” (Mark 11:1-10 NIV)

It was the spring of 2001 and Memorial Stadium at the University of Kansas was filled with 10,000-15,000 people awaiting an announcement from basketball coach Roy Williams on whether or not he was going to accept an offer from the University of North Carolina to replace Dean Smith as head basketball coach or remain at KU. Williams came out of the tunnel and onto the stage and proclaimed, “I’m stayin’.”  The crowd erupted and a celebration ensued, much as if the Jayhawks had just won the National Championship.  Williams was feted like royalty.

Two years later, it was a different story.  Williams, who once again was offered the UNC position, couldn’t turn it down a second time.  And many of the same people who packed that stadium two years earlier were now calling Williams a traitor and worse.  Radio talk shows were deluged with vitriolic calls and letters to the editor were very few in support of his decision.  The “king” had fallen hard and fast from favor.  

Two thousand years ago, another man who the people proclaimed king was celebrated by the crowds.  Jesus rode into Jerusalem and was greeted with jubilant celebration.  The crowd adored Him and couldn’t get enough of Him.  Yet, only days later, many of the same people were shouting, “Crucify, crucify!”  

The reality is we human beings are very fickle by nature.  Our hearts can turn on a dime.  Sunday morning we can be lifting our voices in praise to our King and by Sunday afternoon we can be gossiping with a friend.  We can be in a Bible study on Wednesday and by Thursday planning for a weekend party.   The lesson of Palm Sunday is how weak our hearts really are.  Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we praise the Lord on Sunday and continue to live for Him throughout the rest of the week.  

Today, acknowledge to the Lord the weakness of your heart and ask Him for the help and strength to live for Him every day.  Then you will indeed stand out from the crowd.

© Jim Musser 2015

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