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Matthew 21:1-11
Palm Sunday question. Are we “wishy washy”?
And so it begins. It’s the last week of Jesus’ life here on this planet as the “son of man”. He had set His eyes towards Jerusalem knowing that it would end with His crucifixion. The last week would involve cleansing the temple, cursing the fig tree, having His authority questioned, teaching more parables, conflict with the Herodians, Pharisees, and Sadducees plus many other events in the final week, the week we call Passion Week. He would teach them what is the greatest commandment, and asking the Pharisees, “what about the Christ? Whose Son is He?”
But for now, Jesus has traveled 19 miles from Jericho to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives. As He prepares to enter he sends His disciples on with instructions to find a donkey and a colt. They did as He commanded. When they brought the donkey to Jesus they laid their clothes on it and put Jesus on the donkey. Then He entered the city of Jerusalem with folks cutting palm branches (hence our Palm Sunday description) and laying them on the road as Jesus made His way through the streets.
They cried, “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9.
Matthew 21:10 states that the WHOLE city was moved saying “who is this?” Here’s the “wishy washy”, “double tongued”, “finicky” part. They go from adoration and praise to prosecution and pronouncing judgment in one short week. They proclaim Him King on Palm Sunday then pronounce judgment on “good Friday”! My oh my how their mood changes in just a few days. They go from laying down palm branches on Jerusalem streets for the King to spitting on Him as He travels those same streets.
We might say how foolish or ignorant can they be. But maybe, just maybe, we do the same thing. On Sundays we praise, worship and dive into Bible study, but in just a few short days of the week we choose to betray, deny and even “re-crucify” our Lord Jesus by our disobedience and rebellion.
As we approach “Palm Sunday” and celebrate the King’s triumphal entry Jerusalem may we learn from their “wishy washy” attitude. True one day then rejecting Him the next. May we proclaim, even as the centurion did on His day of crucifixion, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Let each one of us choose to obey daily, not just on Palm Sunday!
—
Leonard
Leonard Navarre
Associate Pastor
Licensed and Certified Church Consultant
