The power and meaning of this day is unsurpassed--Christ is victorious, death is defeated! What could be more important for souls doomed for eternal death, than the offer of eternal life? And only for the cost of surrender.
Last week, on Palm Sunday, the pastor of the church we attended discussed, "What is the meaning of Palm Sunday?" I realized, and am ashamed to admit, that I never really thought about that (and I'm a Bible school graduate!)--it's always just been a fun time to wave palm branches around! I was eager to hear his answer, and deeply moved by it. Here it is, the true meaning of Palm Sunday:
"Before Jesus did what he said he would do, people acknowledged who he was."
I don't know about you, but this statement is powerful for me. How often in my life do I falter in faith because I have to wait (heaven forbid!) for God to fulfill a promise, and I get all complainy and accuse God of not caring for me, and all other sorts of childish reactions. Palm Sunday is about people believing in Jesus' claim and promise that he was the Messiah who would save them, before he had proven himself true, and asking in hope for him to fulfill his promise. They cried, "Save us now, Victorious One!"
The life of faith is all about this: Before we see it done, we declare it and we receive it.
And today, on Easter Sunday, we remember that he did. He did what he said he would do, as terrible as it was. He is the Victorious One who has saved us. May my faith increase as I wait on him to fulfill his other promises to me!
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