Palm Sunday. A story about a jubilant crowd welcoming Jesus on a donkey. We could mistakenly think this is Jesus's happiest day on earth.
A day earlier, Jesus calls his friend Lazarus out of a grave, a man who is dead for days comes back to life! A wailing party turns into a celebration. People loved this version of Jesus, his God-power on full display. Here he finally was: the Messiah. News spreads like wildfire. "Jesus, the Messiah?" the Pharisees ask enraged, "we've got to put this rumour to rest"; they even plan to murder Lazarus.
As night falls over the land, powerful people brood over deadly plots. Jesus needs to die.
Instead of laying low, Jesus makes his biggest appearance yet. As prophesied, right in the heart of God's chosen country, in Jerusalem. The religious power hub.
Rumours that Jesus is approaching the city draws everyone out onto the streets. The Holy City is teeming with people.
Knowing scripture, Jesus sends his disciples ahead of him, two with a special mission, to find a donkey's foal for their master. They find the donkey and bring it to Jesus.
Riding on a donkey, heavy with symbolism, Jesus slowly enters Jerusalem and the crowd goes wild. They sing, "Praise God! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the King of Israel!" As Jesus passes through a palm waving crowd, he sees pure joy on people's faces. Suddenly his gaze lands on a group of grim, tight-mouthed pharisees. Angrily they demand, "Jesus, make them stop!" Jesus counters, if they shut the people up, the rocks would praise him. Infuriated the religious elite disappears, fuelled by rage, they will find the cruellest way imaginable to get rid of Jesus.
The cheering crowd continues their chants, laying down their palm branches for Jesus's donkey to walk on. A royal welcome. The disciples are overjoyed, finally their day of triumph has come! They look back at Jesus, fully expecting a solemn or joyous expression on his face. Instead, Jesus weeps. He cries for this crowd of the lost. Jesus knows these adoring songs will soon turn into angry shouts, "Crucify him!"
He knows the hearts of people. How fickle we are. He knows even his friends, now proudly marching by his side, will abandon him.
In the bright light of day, everything looks as if Jesus has come to take his seat of power. Jerusalem is lying at his feet. But soon they will be at the feet of a cross, taunting him. A mocking sign above his bloodied head will say, "Jesus, King of the Jews"
Knowing the true spirit of people, Jesus rides into Jerusalem with eyes wide open. Despite this, he is ready and willing to die for each and every one of them.
Pure love has come to town. Worship him.
