PALMS, PRAISES, PERCEPTIONS and the PREJUDICES

The Palm Sunday or the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem begins the last act of the redemption plan of the LORD God, our Creator – “7 …brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him [Jesus] thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” – Matthew 21:7-9

Every significant person or group present on this day had their own perspectives on what was happening, and their own programme…agenda on how things should be.

1- We see JESUS resolutely walking towards His goal and purpose of coming into his world. Jesus wept twice in a short span of time. Once at the tomb of Lazarus [John 11:35] and today, when He sees the city of Jerusalem, and the people in general – “41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,” – Luke 19:41

2- We see the DISCIPLES still ignorant of their Master’s purposes and work – “16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.” – John 12:16

3- The MULTITUDES that followed Jesus were full of their own ideas and opinions…many simply did not believe Jesus – “37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:” – John 12:37. However, there were also those who believed – “45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.” – John 11:45

4- The RELIGIOUS HEADS were proud, arrogant, utterly displeased and terribly angry with Jesus. They were actively scheming to kill the King of kings. Their hate for Jesus was so intense, that they were blinded to the fact that, they were committing a cold-blooded murder of an absolutely innocent Man, in direct violation of the law, which they believed in, were called by God Himself as its teachers, guardians and upholders – “15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did…they were sore displeased,” “47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.” “1…And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death.” “53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.” – Matthew 21:15, John 11:47, Mark 14:1, John 11:53.

What about us? Which group are we in? Why are we following Jesus? Are we following Him as disciples? Are we like the religious heads? Who are we?