Jesus’ Passion Week: Our Savior’s Last Days and Ultimate SacrificeSample

Jesus Approaches Jerusalem

What comes to mind when you think of peace? Perhaps you think of the end of war, a sleeping baby, or a retreat in the mountains or the beach. I picture my Dad’s face when he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior on his deathbed. A peace washed over him and his face radiated a calming light. My father was someone who always liked to be in control and could never relax unless everything was going smoothly. But at a time, when his health was failing and he did not know whether he would live or die, he finally made peace with God.

My dad experienced shalom, the Hebrew word for peace, well-being, and reconciliation. Jesus came to bring shalom, so that we could experience peace with God, ourselves, others, and creation. In fact, Jesus is called the Prince of Peace.

On the first day of Passion week, known as Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Previously, He had avoided attracting the attention of the religious rulers. But now, Jesus would make a final public appeal of love to the people to receive Him as their king. The crowd enthusiastically threw their cloaks on the road, which was the customary way to coronate a new king (Luke 19:35-37; see also 2 Kings 9:13). They waved palm-tree branches and shouted “Hosanna!” (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9; John 12:13), and “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38).

But the people celebrating that day missed seeing who Jesus really is and what He came to do. The Jews believed Jesus was coming to their rescue, as a conquering hero, freeing them from the oppression of Rome. Kings rode horses in wartime processions but donkeys in times of peace. Riding on a borrowed donkey, Jesus humbly came to His people in love and peace—to suffer and die for them.

As He approached Jerusalem, Jesus saw the city across the Kidron Valley and wept (Luke 19:41). While the crowd shouted, “Hosanna!” Jesus sobbed—not for the suffering He was going to face that week, but for His people and the destruction their rebellion would bring.

“If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—” He said, “but now it is hidden from your eyes” (Luke 19:42). How He yearned for them to know Him as the long-awaited Messiah, whose Kingdom would have no end and could bring them true shalom. Jesus’ reign would extend not only to Israel but to the ends of the earth, bringing peace to all the nations (Zechariah 9:10). At the very hour of His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus’ heart overflowed with sorrowful yearning for His people to experience true peace.

Are you experiencing peace with God? You can experience shalom no matter what you are going through because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. God wants to be with you and give you His peace and His presence. But first you must receive Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and make Him king of your life.

Prayer: God, thank you that you long for us to know you and to experience true peace. Please forgive us for going along with the “crowd” and not receiving you as King of our lives. You are always reaching out to us in love. We praise you for giving us your Son, Jesus, who brought us peace by what He accomplished on the cross. In Jesus’ name, Amen.