We recently had opportunity to again visit the Wesley Woodland Walk on Saint Simons Island across the road from Christ Church. John Wesley was rector of the church’s first congregation back when James Oglethorpe came to settle Georgia at Fort Frederica. And for that reason, a garden has been developed in the area in Wesley’s memory. I love the way the garden is structured with a cross being the centerpiece. As I study the photo, I took from the end of the walkway looking toward the cross, dappled light falls across the path. It makes me think maybe Jesus entered Jerusalem on a light dappled path amidst palm waving and shouts of hosanna. And yet, Jesus knew the cross was before him. It was his destiny. It was the reason he came. More than anyone, he knew what was coming.
This
Sunday we will once more celebrate Palm Sunday by singing hosanna, waving
palms, and remembering the fateful day before his crucifixion when Jesus
entered Jerusalem. Upset over the joyful welcome Jesus received, the Pharisees
admonished him to rebuke his disciples for their behavior, but Jesus said, “I
tell you, … if they keep quiet, the
stones will cry out” (Luke 19:39).
The
celebration had to take place. And yet, the crucifixion stood between Palm
Sunday and Easter Sunday.
Yes,
Jesus knew what was coming. But He also knew what was on the other side.
The
apostle Paul wrote it this way, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross,
scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”
(Hebrews 12:2). For the joy set before him, Jesus endured the horror of
crucifixion so that we may have eternal life. He saw the cross, but more than that
he saw the joy of what would happen after. He saw us.
Aren’t
we so grateful to live on the joy side of those moments in history?
The
folks waving the palms that day in Jerusalem expected a king of a different
sort, but we may celebrate knowing that Jesus is the King of all Kings and Lord
of all Lords.
So,
let’s not let any rocks cry out for us, let’s grab those palms and shout our
own hosannas. We have much to shout about.
Hosanna!!!