SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

Credit ChurchArt

Today is Palm Sunday, 2023.  So much has been written about Easter Sunday – and it deserves all the accolades written about it.  Easter to the Christian is the foundation of our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

But not much get written about Palm Sunday.  Yes, it’s a “lead-in” to Easter, but in its own right is so much more.  But we must understand that Palm Sunday was the preparation for the torture, crucifixion, death and burial of our Lord.  And all of that HAD to happen in order to secure our salvation.  Yes, God the Father sent Jesus to earth to die for the human race, but one thing that isn’t told very often, is that Jesus willingly GAVE UP His life – not just at the command of the Father, but of His own free will.  

The Palm Sunday story is told in John 12, verses 1-36 (NIV).  I have taken bits and pieces from that passage to show just what Palm Sunday means.  I encourage you to read the entire chapter:

….Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him.  Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

,,,, “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of My burial.”

….Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of Him but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.  So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

….The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting,

        “Hosanna!”

        “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

        “Blessed is the king of Israel!”

        Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it

…. Now the crowd that was with Him when He called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word.  Many people, because they had heard that He had performed this sign, went out to meet Him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after Him!”

 ….Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.  Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.

Jesus, the Perfect Lamb of God willingly gave up His life so that we – all of humankind who believe on Him – could spent eternity with Him in Heaven.  I am so thankful that I am counted in that group who will spend eternity praising God.  May you also belong in that group. 

That is my prayer this Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter morning.

Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .

  Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.

After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.

Tags: #amblogging, Christian bloggers, Easter, Faith, God, John 12, Palm Sunday