"They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, 'Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!'"
-John 12:13 (NIV)
-John 12:13 (NIV)
My favorite baseball team is the Pittsburgh Pirates. As a Pirates fan, there were quite a few years of very little to get excited about or celebrate. Once the Pirates started winning again, Greg Brown's catchphrase of "raise the jolly roger" has become common as a celebration of a Pirates victory. Instead of raising the "jolly roger", the large crowds awaiting the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem were waving palm branches and spreading their cloaks and palm branches on the ground. The crowds were more excited about Jesus' arrival than the fans at PNC Park watching the first Pirates playoff victory in over 20 years!
In our lives, we celebrate by raising a flag, waving a pennant, putting up our arms, or shouting and cheering. We find many things to cheer about and celebrate, but do we remember to continually celebrate the the gifts we have been given through Jesus' sacrifice for us?
The events of Holy Week transition from celebrating crowds to an orchestrated crucifixion of Jesus. The crowds dispersed and the celebrations ended. However, without the events leading up to and including the crucifixion, we would not be in a position to be saved from our sinful nature. Without the resurrection of Jesus, we would not have reason to celebrate!
Be thankful for the sacrifice that Jesus made for each of us on the cross. Don't limit the celebration to Palm Sunday, Good Friday, or Easter Sunday, embrace Jesus, our King, and celebrate forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus each and every day. We have a victory to celebrate every day, so raise the palm branch in thanksgiving, love, and eternal life!
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for sending Jesus to die for my sins. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Help me to celebrate eternal life each and everyday and allow others to see the joy of this eternal life through my celebrations! In the name of my Savior, Your Son Jesus, amen.
In our lives, we celebrate by raising a flag, waving a pennant, putting up our arms, or shouting and cheering. We find many things to cheer about and celebrate, but do we remember to continually celebrate the the gifts we have been given through Jesus' sacrifice for us?
The events of Holy Week transition from celebrating crowds to an orchestrated crucifixion of Jesus. The crowds dispersed and the celebrations ended. However, without the events leading up to and including the crucifixion, we would not be in a position to be saved from our sinful nature. Without the resurrection of Jesus, we would not have reason to celebrate!
Be thankful for the sacrifice that Jesus made for each of us on the cross. Don't limit the celebration to Palm Sunday, Good Friday, or Easter Sunday, embrace Jesus, our King, and celebrate forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus each and every day. We have a victory to celebrate every day, so raise the palm branch in thanksgiving, love, and eternal life!
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for sending Jesus to die for my sins. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Help me to celebrate eternal life each and everyday and allow others to see the joy of this eternal life through my celebrations! In the name of my Savior, Your Son Jesus, amen.
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