Passion Sunday A Triumphal Entry To A Victorious Week!

This Parade Is For Our Savior!

This week in San Antonio we have been celebrating our city's traditional Fiesta Festival! The town is full of festive colors and events that take place over a 2 week period. One of the most poplular events are the parades.

Since I was a kid I have attended these parades with my family and continue the tradition by taking my own children to ooh and aah over the fun & festive floats and the stunning fashons of the Fiesta Royal Court. I started thinking that these parades are nothing like the Triumphal Entry of when Jesus made his way into Jerusalem on Palm Suday. The people waved palm branches that proclaimed goodness & victory! This parade was for their Savior who would take away the sins of the world!

The Royal Welcome

Matthew 21: 1-11

1-3When they neared Jerusalem, having arrived at Bethphage on Mount Olives, Jesus sent two disciples with these instructions: "Go over to the village across from you. You'll find a donkey tethered there, her colt with her. Untie her and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you're doing, say, 'The Master needs them!' He will send them with you."

4-5This is the full story of what was sketched earlier by the prophet:

Tell Zion's daughter,

"Look, your king's on his way,

poised and ready, mounted

On a donkey, on a colt,

foal of a pack animal."

6-9The disciples went and did exactly what Jesus told them to do. They led the donkey and colt out, laid some of their clothes on them, and Jesus mounted. Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down as a welcome mat. Crowds went ahead and crowds followed, all of them calling out, "Hosanna to David's son!" "Blessed is he who comes in God's name!" "Hosanna in highest heaven!"

10As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, "What's going on here? Who is this?"

11The parade crowd answered, "This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee."

I give thanks for that triumphant day and the days that followed...because of his obedience and sacrifice I am forgiven and healed!!

What does Holy Week mean to you?