The next day, when the large crowd who had come to the Passover feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took branches of palm trees [in homage to Him as King] and went out to meet Him, and they began shouting and kept shouting “Hosanna! Blessed (celebrated, praised) is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”
John 12: 12-13 (AMP)
Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem humbly.
In peace, he rode into town on a young, unridden donkey; not a horse commonly used by war heroes.
The crowd that gathered, recognized Jesus as king, and met him with palm branches.
Some placed the palm branches in His path with their cloaks, in biblical red carpet fashion.
Palm branches represent victory and triumph.
Their use was a common expression of honor for kings in biblical times.
Although the use of palm branches was common, it was not easy.
The average height of a palm tree varies between 32 and 50 ft., with the tallest palm tree growing to be 230 ft. tall.
This means that, at the very least, one would have to climb the height of two giraffes standing one on top of the other, just to reach the branch of a palm tree.
When honoring kings in biblical times, people were willing to climb high.
Regardless of a fear of heights, they would climb.
Regardless of the weather, they would climb.
Regardless of the effort required, they would climb.
Regardless of how they felt, they would climb.
They would climb because there was a king worthy of honor, in their presence.
We should also climb, just as those who lived in biblical times.
Our climbing may not be literal, but we should climb to honor our King.
Climb: to go up with gradual or continuous progress
We honor God with our progress.
However, honoring Him in this way requires us to ask hard questions.
How is our stewardship?
How is our commitment?
How well do we relate to others?
Where is progress needed in our lives?
When we take the opportunity to progress in necessary areas, we climb.
We climb high, and we honor our King in the process.
This Sunday, April 14th, 2019, is Palm Sunday.
It is the day in Biblical history that marks Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
This entry was different than any other entry.
This entry made Jesus' status as Messiah, public.
This entry didn't announce the arrival of just any king.
This was the entry of the King of Kings.
The King worthy of the greatest honor.
In the days leading to Palm Sunday, let us choose to climb in honor of our King.
Let's consider the opportunities we have to climb high in our everyday lives.
Whatever the effort.
Whatever the sacrifice.
Whatever the discipline.
Whatever the cost.
Let's Do it!
Let's make a declaration to our King!
"Lord, you are worth the climb! Your honor is far greater than my comfort"
Another FANTASTIC entry!!!! Truly our KING is worth OUR climb!!!! Bless His holy name!!!