Only a few days separated Jesus from being hailed as King...people showering him with praise and then being hailed as heretic…deserving of nothing but death.
It makes me think of the difference between most any Sunday...where thousands join to praise Him...and then by Friday night...for some...He is no longer hailed as the hope of the world but instead...He simply becomes....inconvienent...His words forgotten…forgive…do good to those that hurt you…give to receive…serve to lead…die to live…take up your cross…daily...His words...uncomfortable...unwanted...a choice is made...His words are silenced...put to death...anything to stop those words.

On Palm Sunday we remember when Jesus road a donkey into the city of Jerusalem. The people laid palm leaves in front of Him and shouted hosanna. The stories of His miracles were being told and retold. Many thought that He was going to be their earthly king…they thought He would use His amazing powers to take over Jerusalem…to free them from Roman rule.

As what He was really about began to be realized...the excitement wore off...the party died down. He had not taken over the city but instead had been taken prisoner. He was not bringing down the Roman government…He was submitting to them…His words began to ring in their ears…forgive…do good to those that hurt you…give to receive…serve to lead…die to live…take up our cross…daily…this was not the kind of king they wanted…so they chose...silence those words…death.

While we celebrate this Holy week…His grand entrance…His ultimate death and resurrection…it’s a good time to rethink this...because …in a strange, powerful, relentless, and yet humble way....He is still arriving everyday...you will not see Him on a donkey...riding into your city...you will...instead...hear His footsteps as they approach the door of your heart...you will...remember the things He has said...forgive...do good to those that hurt you...give to receive...serve to lead...die to live...you will…make a choice...to take up your cross...or...to pick up some nails.