Religion & Spirituality
One word dominated the sounds which were heard in Jerusalem that first Palm Sunday:'Hosanna':meaning 'Save now' or 'Save,pray' One word,but it's power was incredible. Reflect upon the different impacts that word would have upon the various interest groups in Jerusalem that day: The Roman authorities; The Jewish leaders; The ordinary people gathering for the Passover Feast; The Disciples of Jesus; Jesus Himself Why,when Jesus had been quick to silence any declaration of His identity as the 'Messiah',the Christ,.is there no attempt to dampen down the attention given to proclaim who He is on this particular day? (Luke 19:40). (Read Matthew 21:1-11) Build a picture of all the details given about that first Palm Sunday,compare it with the established preconceptions you may have about that day. (consider these questions: was there a pre-arranged 'password' with the owner,for the use of the donkeys? did Jesus take the two donkeys with Him for the procession?(v2,,v5,v7) why was the chosen transport a donkey?(Zechariah 9:9-11) the details of the procession may seem makeshift,but was this in fact the case? what was the significance behind every detail? why do you think no crown or diadem was placed on Jesus' head? (see Mk 15:17) what kind of King was Jesus being proclaimed to be? If you had been in that crowd how do you think you would have acted?) 'Ride on,ride on in majesty!In lowly pomp ride on to die;bow Your meek head to mortal pain,then take,O God,Your power and reign.' (CMP 580) What do you think was going through Jesus' mind as He rode in? Why did He weep?(Luke 19:41-42)?”