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The Two Palms: Hosanna! to Crucify Him!

 


On Palm Sunday people waved palm branches to welcome The King, "Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
The King of Israel!”" (John 12:13), then they beat Him with the palm of their hands, "Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You" (Matthew 26:67-68 NKJV). How fickle the crowds  can be, but what is most alarming is that in the Church it can be the same. People can be ardently proclaiming Christ one minute, and then renouncing Him the next. Palm Sunday to Good Friday reminds us that people can switch sides as swiftly as the wind changes direction, and that we must be humble and like Jesus’ disciples who stood in the shadow of the cross beams not just in shade of palms branches. 


As we raise up palm branches, let us pray we do not bray against our Lord as loudly as we praise Him now. We need The Holy Spirit's help to keep us humble, for those who our loudest for Christ can be loudest against Him. In fact that was something Pastor Greg Laurie shared in all his years of ministry, "those who I thought never could fall away, devout and powerful people in the God’s kingdom fell away, and those I worried were teetering, ended up remaining faithful." (Paraphrase). The Apostle Paul has a similar warning, "You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.  For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will certainly not spare you either.” (Romans 11:19-21). I am not saying love in terror of falling away, I even believe in Eternal Security (John 10:25-30), but like Peter we can say one moment, “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same,” (Matthew 26:35), and the next, “Again, Peter said he was never with him, saying, “I swear I don't know this man Jesus!” (Matthew 26:72). Notice that is all in same chapter. 


I believe Jesus is merciful, that if people fail in their fear, emotion, and disappointment like Peter did they can be forgiven, for Jesus said to those mocking Him in the cross, “Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). Remember Jesus gave a parable about two sons, “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.” (Matthew 21:28-34). Many say they will serve the Lord and do not, and some who say they won’t end up doing God’s Will. So despair not if you said Hosanna much of your Christian Walk but at times shouted Crucify Him! In your anger, disappointment, and fear. Ask for Christ Jesus to forgive you, He will, “If we confess our sins, He (Jesus) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) and sin no more. Amen. 

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