Listen To Him

As spring blossoms and Easter approaches, many of us fondly recall the image of children waving palm branches in church. But beyond this cherished tradition lies a story of immense spiritual significance - one that invites us to delve deeper into the true meaning of Palm Sunday and the transformative power of God's love.

To understand the gravity of Palm Sunday, we must first transport ourselves to ancient Jerusalem during Passover. Picture a city swelling from its usual 20,000-30,000 inhabitants to a staggering 150,000 pilgrims. Streets teem with families, each leading a small lamb - their Passover sacrifice - purchased from the temple. For five days, these lambs accompany their families everywhere, a poignant reminder of the impending sacrifice.

Amidst this bustling scene, two very different processions unfold. From the west, Roman governor Pontius Pilate enters astride a war horse, flanked by armed soldiers - a clear display of worldly power and intimidation. From the east, through the Sheep Gate, comes Jesus, seated humbly on a donkey. This entrance is no accident, but a deliberate fulfillment of prophecy.

Zechariah 9:9 had foretold: "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." By choosing this mode of transport, Jesus declares himself the long-awaited Messiah, but not the militant liberator many expected. His kingdom is one of peace, not earthly dominance.

The symbolism deepens when we consider the Sheep Gate's significance. This was the entry point for all sacrificial lambs, born in Bethlehem and destined for the Passover altar. Jesus, also born in Bethlehem and without blemish, enters through this same gate - the Lamb of God, come to be the ultimate sacrifice for all humanity.

This moment represents the culmination of a divine plan set in motion since the dawn of creation. From humanity's fall in Eden to the prophecies of old, God has been weaving a redemption story. As Dr. Sandra Richter beautifully puts it, "The Bible is the saga of Yahweh and Adam, the prodigal son and his ever-gracious heavenly father... It is all one story. And if you're a believer, if you're a follower of Jesus, it is your story."

Yet, as Jesus approaches Jerusalem, his triumphant entry takes an unexpected turn. Luke 19 tells us that upon seeing the city, Jesus wept. Not a gentle shedding of tears, but deep, gut-wrenching sobs of grief. Why such sorrow on what should be his moment of glory?

Jesus weeps because he sees beyond the waving palms and shouts of "Hosanna!" He sees hearts still hardened, minds still clouded, a people who don't truly understand the nature of his kingship or the sacrifice he's come to make. "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace," he laments, "but now it is hidden from your eyes."

This moment of raw emotion reveals the depth of Christ's love for humanity. It's a love that reaches beyond our comprehension, just as Psalm 36:5 describes: "Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." In an age when the earth was thought flat and the sky a fixed dome, this verse hinted at a love vaster than human imagination. Today, as we peer into an ever-expanding universe through powerful telescopes, we're reminded that God's love still stretches beyond the limits of our understanding.

How often do we, like those Jerusalem crowds, miss the Messiah standing right before us? In our quest for success, comfort, or validation, we overlook the quiet, steadfast love that's already ours. No one has ever wept for us as Jesus did on that day. His tears reveal a relentless, all-consuming love that the Son of God came to freely give.

As we approach Holy Week, we're invited to pause and truly contemplate this love in a way perhaps we never have before. Can we sit still long enough to let it wash over us? Can we open our hearts to truly receive it? If we find ourselves struggling to do so, perhaps it's time to ask why. What barriers have we built that keep us from fully embracing God's love?

The question "Is He worthy?" resounds, and we confidently answer, "Yes!" But then comes a more challenging query: "Are we worthy?" Left to our own devices, the answer would be a resounding no. Yet through Christ's sacrificial love, grace, and forgiveness, we are made worthy. This is the heart of the Gospel - that the King of Kings would humble himself, entering not on a warhorse but a donkey, to bridge the gap our unworthiness created.

As we reflect on Palm Sunday, let's look beyond the surface-level celebrations. Let's see it as God's love story unfolding, a pivotal moment in the grand narrative of redemption. Let's allow ourselves to be moved by the image of our Savior weeping over a city - over us - even as he marches toward his sacrificial death.

This Palm Sunday, may we not be like those who missed the true nature of Jesus' kingship. Instead, let's open our eyes to see the Messiah for who he truly is - not just a historical figure or a comfortable tradition, but the living embodiment of a love that reaches to the heavens and beyond. Let's allow that love to transform us, empowering us to then pour it out on others.

For in the end, Palm Sunday isn't just about waving branches or singing hosannas. It's about recognizing the King of Love, who enters humbly into our lives, ready to cleanse our hearts and make his dwelling there. Will we welcome him?