Holy Week Part 1 – A Palm Sunday to Remember & Celebrate
Today was originally known as Pasha, now we know it as Palm Sunday. A day we remember and celebrate Jesus triumphantly entering into Jerusalem as Savior and King. Today we continue to celebrate champions as they go into battle or if they return home victorious.
Never is that more obvious than today as so many Tiger Woods followers celebrate their hero finally returning to the throne of the golf world. For eleven years Tiger fans and followers have waited for this moment. Many doubted it would ever happen. The sports world finally get to see that dream come true.
The last three days hope grew. Whispers became cheers and Tiger delivered an epic Palm Sunday return to golf glory. Sports has long been a mirror of life. Let’s take a look at how Jesus chose to make his triumphal entry and how he will return.
The purpose for Jesus riding into Jerusalem was to make public His claim to be the Messiah and King of Israel in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Why would our Champion and Savior ride in on a borrowed donkey’s colt? Zechariah 9:9 provides the answer to that. Unfortunately, the praise the people lavished on Jesus was not because they recognized Him as their Savior from sin, instead they welcomed Him as someone who would lead them in a revolt against Rome. They recognized Jesus as the Son of David who came in the name of the Lord. When he refused to lead them in a massive revolt, the crowds quickly turned on Him.
Does that not sound very similar to fickle fans today? A King who comes as a lowly servant on a donkey, not a steed, not in royal robes, but on the clothes of His poor and humble disciples. Jesus chooses to fight with love instead of with force, chooses to conquer hearts and minds instead of nations, and chooses to suffer a brutal death for you and me. Oh what a Savior! Oh what a King!
I am not a golf fan, but how can anyone not be impressed by Tiger. The endurance Tiger has demonstrated in overcoming off the course issues and back injuries to finally win another major is testimony to his greatness in the world of golf.
I love both sports and winners, I love watching elite athletes do uncommon things on a court, field, or golf course. I will watch inspirational sports movies all day long. I completely get why so many go crazy when teams or athletes rise up. What I can’t figure out is how so many can get so excited about this, but at the same time seem so dead and bored with what Jesus did and is going to do!
Golf fans will now recognize Palm Sunday as the day that Tiger completed his comeback. Some day soon though, every knee on earth will bow when Jesus makes his triumphal return. This time, it will not be on a borrowed donkey colt, nor will it be as a lamb for the slaughter for our sin. This time Jesus will be returning for His bride. He will be returning for those who say yes to Him and choose to believe that He is the Only Way to the One True God. That is something to get more than excited about!