Thursday, March 30, 2023

          Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ final and triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  Matthew, Mark and Luke record this moment in Jesus’ life.  The Lord is welcomed with affection, acclaim and adoration.  We can almost see and hear the excitement that echoed and reigned in Jerusalem on that long ago day.  The praises surrounded and serenaded Jesus as He entered the city just days before His looming arrest and crucifixion.  This entry marks the beginning of Holy Week.  Luke 19:36 notes this detail about Jesus’ entry, “As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.”  Luke’s choice of the verb “spread” suggests a continuous casting of clothing to the ground before Jesus.  Repeatedly, in an ongoing fashion, the people put their cloaks before Jesus—almost like forming a road or pathway for Him to follow.  The “spreading” was not a singular or solitary act—rather it was a repeated, uninterrupted and unimpeded casting down of garments.  We could likely characterize it as a spontaneous act that grew more and more intense as the procession moved along.
            If we think on this action for a few moments, we begin to wonder what we might cast or spread before the Lord today.  We think about what we might offer to Him in worship, praise or surrender.  Many people in the crowd that lined the street of Jesus’ entry probably had little more than their cloaks.  It was likely not a gathering of the rich or well-to-do.  But the people gave what they had.  They surrendered the one thing they possessed so Jesus could be properly honored, welcomed and adored.  The principle is for us to trust God with what we have.  We are to offer to Him what He has provided or given to us.  If you do not have a million dollars, God will not ask that from you.  But He will ask you to use what you have and to give what you have in service and surrender to Him.  He is worthy—always and forever. 
            The act of spreading one’s clothing was a common way to offer homage and tribute to a king.  A royal figure was often feted and honored in this way.  For example, in 2 Kings 9:13 we read, “They quickly took their cloaks and spread them under him on the bare steps. Then they blew the trumpet and shouted, ‘Jehu is king!’”  And in Luke, the people were affirming that Jesus is King.  Holy Scripture teaches us that Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.  He is the supreme sovereign of heaven and earth (see Matthew 28:18).  As King, He alone is worthy of our best offerings, sacrifices and loyalty.  Paul reminds us of the coming day where all creation will acknowledge the kingship of Jesus.  Paul wrote, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).
            As we approach Palm Sunday and Holy Week, consider what you bring to the Lord.  What do you offer?  What do you cast or spread before Him?  The most fitting gift we can bring is our lives—to offer them in praise, worship, service and surrender.  In the midst of Holy Week, we can bring Him our time, worship, awe and silence.  We can listen as He speaks to us through the familiar stories of His arrest, trial, betrayal, cross and resurrection.  We can listen to these stories with unrivaled attention and humble contemplation...listening for when and where He might speak to us again.  Have a great Thursday!  Join us for worship this Sunday and a full Holy Week of events and occasions.  Worship is always available at youtube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.