Stop Suffering ISSUE020 | Page 8

PALM SUNDAY It was not the first time Jerusalem shouting Hosanna! That was passover. It happened every year, with branches representing victory. Pilgrims would stream into the gates prepared to recite together Psalm 113 through 118 including the joyful greeting, “Hosanna!”, “Lord save us!”, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” But this was different. The rabbi of the donkey was a sensation, a worker of true miracles, the teacher unlike any other. It was said He had raised the dead man back to life. Surely, He had the power of God. Those fortunate enough to see him enter the city shouted out their greetings and made the way more beautiful by laying down their clothes and branches as they would do for the most honoured man. That was passover. That was the celebration of the blood of the lamb. God kept His word. The angel passed over their sons in Egypt. How many hoped this man would be that angel of death for the Romans? How few understood that He was instead the lamb? The lamb whose blood would save them from sin and death. Had they known would they have gone silence? Or would they have joined this today shouting in more loudly “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” The Triumphal Entry of Jesus occurs around a week before His Resurrection. Jesus came, riding a donkey into Jerusalem, and the people, festively, threw their garments before Him, as well as small palm branches. In this event, the Lord is celebrated as the “Prince of Peace”, worthy of great honour. Come honour Him this Palm Sunday, the date which precedes Easter Sunday. On this occasion, we will bless the palm branches and all the families. STOP SUFFERING|08