Palm Sunday

The Triumphal Entry

Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”

All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

“Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”

So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Hosanna in the highest!”

And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”

So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Matthew 21:1-11 (NKJV)

We All Fall, Need To Repent, Get Up And Continue To Follow Jesus

I can believe and say that I’m an American (for example). But unless I have the American passport or ID, I’m not an American… it confirms my belief and confession.

There is also a proof of our identity as Christians.

Faith or belief and reliance on Jesus Christ, especially for salvation, is essential. The word of God says that whoever confesses the Lord Jesus with his mouth and believes in his heart that God raised him will be saved.

But there needs to be evidence that my words are not empty and that my belief is real. Jesus said even demons believe and shudder. The apostle James challenged to say that our faith must prove itself with our works.

Let’s be clear, we’re not saved by works, we’re saved by grace – but our belief in Christ will prove itself to be genuine or not.

It’s not possible for a Christian to want to practise a sinful lifestyle.

Sure we all fall, need to repent, get up and continue to follow Jesus… but practicing sin (like practicing soccer) and “improving” at it is different.

person kicks a soccer ball in field

There are so many temptations around us that easily draw us in and “help us get better” at things we know are wrong. Especially on the internet and social media.

Prove your belief and confession by turning your back on these temptations.

There’s nothing that pleases a father more than having a clear relationship with his children. Don’t stay away. Come back – even if you’ve messed up.

Romans 10:9

… if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

James 2:17

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Acts 26:20

…that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

  • Mark Saunders

Psalm 116 (NKJV)

Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Death

I love the Lord, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.

The pains of death surrounded me,
And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me;
I found trouble and sorrow.
Then I called upon the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!”

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
Yes, our God is merciful.
The Lord preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.
Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

For You have delivered my soul from death,
My eyes from tears,
And my feet from falling.
I will walk before the Lord
In the land of the living.
I believed, therefore I spoke,
“I am greatly afflicted.”
I said in my haste,
“All men are liars.”

What shall I render to the Lord
For all His benefits toward me?
I will take up the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord
Now in the presence of all His people.

Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of His saints.

O Lord, truly I am Your servant;
I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant;
You have loosed my bonds.
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows to the Lord
Now in the presence of all His people,
In the courts of the Lord’s house,
In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord!

Be Opportunistic

Colossians 4:5-6 New Living Translation (NLT)

Col. 4:5-6 Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone. NLT

Wisdom would teach us that we must be careful about how we live in the world. We must accept the fact that we are being watched and eternal decisions are being influenced by what others see in us. It matters what we say and do. Often people are just looking for excuses to not make a commitment to Christ.

Wisdom would teach us to take care of our souls before we enter into the world. We know that we will influence people and perhaps for all eternity by how we are in the world. We must understand that without the constant lordship of Christ over us we may very well do far more harm than good to those we meet in the world. We must enter into the world bathed in prayer and the Word. It protects us from the world and prepares us to be witnesses in the world.

men having conversation sitting in a coffee shop

Wisdom would teach us to be alert to opportunities we are given to be witnesses for Christ in the world. We dare not assume that missed opportunities don’t matter. We don’t know the state of someone’s heart. Perhaps the Lord has adequately prepared them for salvation and all they need is our witness to nudge them into the Kingdom.

Wisdom would teach us to be aware of what we say and how we say it. We must take responsibility for words spoken. They do matter to God and others, and they should matter to us. What we say and how we say it originates in the heart.

If you lack wisdom today, before you do anything else, ask the Lord to give you some. All you have to do is ask. He has promised to give it to all who seek it.

Proverbs 30:2‭-‬4 NKJV

Surely I am more stupid than any man,
And do not have the understanding of a man. 

I neither learned wisdom
Nor have knowledge of the Holy One. 

Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has bound the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name, and what is His Son’s name,
If you know?