It’s Sunday, and Jesus waits at the Mount of Olives. Today is a special day – seven days before His resurrection.
In a few days, His disciples’ world would be turned upside down. In a few days, He would be hanging on a tree, paying the penalty for our sins. But, in seven days, He would walk out of the tomb, alive for evermore.
That’s a full week!
But, for now, it’s just Sunday – a Sunday just like all the other Sundays before it. At least, that’s how the disciples felt.
Their Rabbi had taken a pit stop at the Mount of Olives, and sent them on an errand to get a colt. They were about to see quite a show.
“Hosanna to the son of David.”
“Hosanna in the highest!”
As they led Jesus into town, a huge multitude gathered and sang His praises. They cast their coats down before him, building a makeshift red carpet. The King of Kings was riding into town, fulfilling prophecy as He went.
Then, in the midst of all the praises and shouting, Jesus begins to weep. The people were ignorant, and didn’t even know what was going on. And, in a few days, this same crowd would be calling for His crucifixion.
Finally, at the temple, Jesus dismounted and went inside… and went on a rampage. Throwing over tables, screaming like a madman, He cleansed the temple.
Then, the blind and the lame started filtering into the temple, and there Jesus started healing them. One by one, the blind came and received their sight. One by one, the lame came, and were healed.
And, with every healing, with every miracle, the praise of Hosanna rose louder and louder.
Finally, the religious leaders call to Him to stop the praises. And Jesus responds that if the crowd stopped, the rocks would cry out. There was so much glory in Jerusalem that day that creation would have exploded in praise had men refused.
This was Sunday… today.
What was life like seven days before the resurrection? It was full – Jesus was active, and the disciples were feeling the waves of His glory and authority.
We’re coming up on Easter. It’s seven days away.
A lot of people will show up on Easter, the one day they want to go to church. But, that group of people have missed the point entirely. They are like the crowd that gathered around the cross… there for a spectacle, a special service, a celebration… maybe some colorful eggs for their kids.
But, today. Jesus is in the temple. He’s actually there, and He’s healing people!
Why wait another week?
You have no idea what the next few days hold, and they could turn your world upside down.
But, today, Jesus is going to be in the church. And, if you come to Him, He can answer your prayers.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a few “Hosanna” praises saved for today.