“A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!'” – Matthew 21:8-9
It was a day of celebration. Jesus was given a King’s welcome as the crowd shouted, “Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest heaven!“
Have you been there? At the top of your game? When the crowds cheered for you and believed you could do no wrong?
It is a glorious feeling to be admired, respected, acknowledged and loved.
In high school, one of my best friends was the quarterback for our high school football team. He was the kind of guy parents wanted their daughters to date and the type of player coaches loved to coach. The local newspaper featured him in a pre-season article. Our team was hoped to go to the State Championship Playoffs that year under his leadership. The first few games afforded us great praise. We were unstoppable – until someone stopped us. And EVERYTHING changed.
The newspaper’s headline that following Saturday read, “Worst Quarterback in High School History.” Really?
The same crowd which cheered and put palm branches under the hooves of the donkey changed too. Within 4 days, the shouts of Hosanna – Hosanna in the highest Heaven became shouts of fear, anger, and death, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
What changed? How can something be one way and so quickly become another way?
The reality is, we often mimic the crowd that crucified our Savior that day. As we walk with Christ, how often do we see Him one way on Sunday but by Wednesday, dishonor His Word and His commandments? How often does our “Hosanna” become “Crucify Him!”
As you prepare for Easter Sunday, consider your relationship with Jesus. If it is not what it should be, take the time this Sunday to seek Him as never before.
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” – John 11:25