"Palm Sunday..."

 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.  They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.  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!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”  The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:6-11 NIV

For many people around the world today marks the beginning of Easter week.  Whether you are in a big fancy church in the Western World were the pews are comfortably padded with carpet under your feet, or you are in a simple church in West Africa with dust on the floors and simple wooden benches, the message is the same...the message of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. 

He did not enter Jerusalem as a mighty political power-going to conquer the enemies. He entered on the back of a donkey.  He entered Jerusalem with us on his mind.  He knew the task the Father had given him to complete.  It was not going to be easy-to the point where a few days later, as he prayed to the Father, he would be sweating drops of blood.  He entered knowing at the end of the week, his death and resurrection, would allow us to be with him for eternity.  He entered in humility...but he entered as our reigning king.