John 12:13
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!”
As we come up to the start
of Holy Week, I’m reminded of why Easter is my favorite holiday. When
you think of a holiday filled with gifts, you think about Christmas. However, I believe that Easter is the most
giving holiday of them all. Holy Week
has the very darkest of times and yet the brightest of times, all in a matter
of a few days. We start out with Jesus
coming into Jerusalem, where everyone is bowing down before him.
This man, born of a virgin,
in a stable. This man, walked this
earth, taught in the synagogue. This
man, a simple man, yet a king. This man,
came to earth with the purpose of dying, dying for you and for me.
Easter is the most giving
holiday I could imagine as Christ went to the cross for MY sins. Yet the story doesn’t end there. He fulfilled the promise that three days
later he would raise.
This next week as we start
with celebrate Palm Sunday, reflect upon Maundy Thursday, and mourn Christ
death on Good Friday, remember that it isn’t finished! Easter Sunday is coming and the promise that
he will return gives us a reason to celebrate every day.