The Final Week of Jesus' Life: An 8-Day Holy Week Devotional SeriesSample

Sunday: The Triumphal Entry: Its Sunday, but Friday’s Comin'

A famous sermon by the late Tony Campolo made the rounds in past years titled, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Comin’!” Of course, the exclamation refers to the sorrows of Good Friday and the joy of Resurrection Sunday. But on Palm Sunday, it is reversed: Jesus is welcomed with shouts of hosannas and praise, but He is well aware of what lies ahead of him—Friday.

The passages for today’s reading recount Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Note verse 5 of Matthew 21, where Jesus quotes the prophets Isaiah and Zechariah and their prophesies of the coming Messiah into Jerusalem. Jesus is greeted by cries of “hosanna,” which in Hebrew is a plea for God to save, so something equivalent to “save now.” The shouts came during Passover week, and this verse records part of the Passover ceremony.

Jesus’ entry into the city riding a humble colt showed His true messiahship—a suffering Messiah, not in a political or military role, for which the Jews were desperately hoping. The cloaks and branches spread on the road before him indicate the reception Jesus received: an honor reserved for kings and royalty, similar to “rolling out the red carpet” today.

Of course, Jesus knew this week would hold suffering and eventually death. He had alluded to that reality frequently in the months and weeks leading up to this time. He spoke of it with His followers, but few (if any) seemed to truly understand what he was saying. Just as we may feel a foreboding of some coming event, so Jesus must have felt such dread. And yet He did not change God’s plan according to his human desires or emotions. He had been born for this very purpose, becoming the sacrificial Lamb of God.

The end of the Luke passage records Jesus’ words as He approached Jerusalem. He would have seen the gleaming Temple Mount, the crowds of people flowing toward the gates, and the place of his future death. As He took in the view of the city, he wept for his people, who were so spiritually blind and unbelieving. Once again we see the compassion of Christ on frail humanity.

Surely we see the heart of God, reaching out in love to those who so cruelly rejected Him. Jesus was willing to experience indescribable pain and suffering, and His mercy extended to all, even his worst enemies. John 1:11 puts it so succinctly, “He came unto His own and his own did not receive Him.”

Prayer for Today: Lord, I receive You. I welcome all that You are into my life. I desire your presence in my life and yield anew my heart to you, the King of Kings. Today may I grasp a better understanding of what you did for me on the cross. Help me see disobedience in my heart and life. Thank you for your mercies that are new every morning and poured out so graciously on your children. Amen.

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