March is nearly over. How is that possible? Hadn’t we just begun the New Year? Is anyone else utterly astonished at how fast the year is going already?

Easter is in two weeks! Palm Sunday is this Sunday. Before we know it, we’ll be heading into summer which I am totally ok with.

But this past week I had the opportunity to serve my church by decorating for Easter. This year we used scenes and props to show the city of Jerusalem and the tomb of Jesus. It looks great and really puts you in the mindset of being in the time of Jesus.

Sometimes I can’t even comprehend how in just a week the mood of the city went from praise and celebration to calls for crucifixion. But I’d like to think that most of the people praising were genuinely excited to see Jesus, and appalled at what would come next.

I mean, how could the religious leaders be so blind? Let’s imagine ourselves in the situation.

For months now, you, an average Jerusalem citizen, have been hearing these crazy stories about a man who can heal people. And not just little things, he can make the blind see, he can make the lame walk. These stories are reputable. People whole-heartedly believe them. Some are even firsthand witnesses. And then you hear about a man being raised from the dead. I’m sure everyone was talking about that. It’s so mind-blowing. 

So, you hear these stories, maybe you’ve even heard him preach. You’ve never heard someone speak the way he does, and it feels so authoritative. You know he speaks truth. You can feel that this is way bigger than you can even imagine.

And then, as you walk about the city, suddenly crowds begin gathering. People are rushing toward the east gate. You hear shouts of the “Messiah coming”. People are crying and praising and grabbing palm branches. You suddenly remember that passage from the prophet Zechariah “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9.

Could this really be it? Could it be our King? You start rushing toward the east gate yourself, tears are streaming down your face. For so long your people have awaited his coming. You squeeze through the crowd. You can see a pathway being laid down in anticipation. You yourself through your cloak down. 

And then, like an incredible dream, like a vision of perfection, like beauty beyond anything you can imagine, this man who you know now, you can feel, is the Messiah coming down the road on a donkey! God is so good. Prophecy is so wild and specific. 

He glances your way as he passes by, and your heart explodes with love and gratitude, and you are overcome with joy. Hosanna, you shout, Hosanna in the highest. The Messiah is here to save us!

Goodness, even imagining it makes me tear up. 

As we enter the Easter season, I encourage you to reread the story of the resurrection in John 17-20. I know this season is flying by but make a conscious effort to slow down and be in the moment. Feel the joy, feel the heartache, feel the gratitude, feel the all-consuming mercy and grace. And praise God that he sent us his only son. 

Enjoy Palm Sunday readers! Praise God we are saved!

“So the last will be first, and the first last.” Matthew 20:16 ESV