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Lent Day 40


Scripture Reading

Matthew 21:1-9


Today is Palm Sunday, the day that we prepare for Easter by celebrating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Some churches celebrate Palm Sunday by having children enter the sanctuary waving palm branches as a reminder of this sacred day. Other churches will have people waving palm branches lining the center aisle of the church as someone dressed as Jesus enters the sanctuary. In both instances, what is happening is a visual reminder of the majesty of Jesus Christ who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 


The reaction of the crowd represents their acknowledgement of Jesus as the long-expected Messiah. The greeting that Jesus received (vs.9) was used in Psalm 118 to greet pilgrims as they entered Jerusalem during the Feast of the Tabernacles. Hosanna essentially means "save," but was probably used here as an exclamation of praise to Jesus. The phrase Son of David describes Jesus' fulfillment that the Messiah would be a descendant of David. "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" is also a phrase that acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah who had been foretold in the Old Testament. 


Can you imagine being one of the disciples and witnessing this warm welcome that Jesus received and then face what lay ahead of them in just a matter of days? No wonder most of the disciples scattered for fear of their life when Jesus was arrested in Gethsemane.


Prayer: Lord, you are exalted above everyone and everything. I want my life to honor you and serve you just like Jesus' life did. Help me to be faithful to the end of my life. Amen.

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