A Joyful Celebration

you found out the other team had their best players injured? Today we're going to learn about a celebration (demonstrate) that was both wonderful and complicated.

This morning, let's have a celebration (demonstrate). Let's celebrate (demonstrate) that we are here today to worship and praise Jesus. Let's all give three cheers for Jesus by saying "Hip, hip, hooray" three times. Are you ready? (Pause) Here we go! "Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!"

Wow! That was great, and I think this is a good day for us to celebrate (demonstrate) Jesus, because today is a very special day. Today is Palm Sunday. It's a day when we remember how people celebrated (demonstrate) when Jesus entered into Jerusalem on a Sunday around two thousand years ago. But here's what's really interesting - the people celebrating (demonstrate) didn't fully understand what was about to happen next.

Jesus was walking with His disciples toward Jerusalem for the Passover festival - one of the most important Jewish holidays. Jerusalem would have been packed with thousands of pilgrims. As they came near to the city, Jesus told two of his disciples to go on ahead into the town. He told them that they would see a young donkey tied there that had never been ridden. "Untie the donkey and bring it to me. If anyone asks you what you are doing, tell them, 'The Lord needs it. He will send it back to you soon.'"

Now, think about this for a moment - why would Jesus choose to ride a donkey instead of a powerful horse? In those days, kings and military leaders rode horses when they came to conquer. But Jesus chose a donkey, which was a symbol of peace. He was showing everyone that He came not as a warrior king, but as the Prince of Peace.

The disciples did what Jesus told them to do, and it happened just as He had told them. They found the young donkey, untied it, and started to lead it away. Some men were standing nearby, and they said to the disciples, "Where are you taking that young donkey?" They told them what Jesus had said, and the men let them take the donkey.

The disciples brought the young donkey to Jesus, and they put their coats on it to make a soft place for Jesus to sit. As they made their way into the city of Jerusalem, something amazing happened. People went ahead of Jesus shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" Others followed behind, and they were also shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna in the highest!" All the while, people lined the streets cheering and waving palm branches.

But here's what many people don't realize - when they shouted "Hosanna," they were using a Hebrew word that means "Save us now!" They were expecting Jesus to save them from the Roman government that was controlling their country. They thought He would become their earthly king and fight their battles for them. They were celebrating (demonstrate) because they believed Jesus would give them the kind of victory they wanted.

It was a wonderful celebration (demonstrate), as people cheered loudly for Jesus. But within just a few days, many of these same people would turn against Him when they realized He hadn't come to be the kind of king they expected.

This makes me think about how we sometimes want God to work in our lives. Do we ever want Jesus to solve our problems in exactly the way we think is best? Have you ever prayed for something and been disappointed when God's answer was different from what you hoped for?

Just as those people celebrated (demonstrate) two thousand years ago, we have come here today to celebrate (demonstrate) Jesus. But we celebrate (demonstrate) Him not just as the king who gives us what we want, but as the Savior who gives us what we truly need. What better day to do that than on Palm Sunday? The Bible says, "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)

Think about this: How can we celebrate (demonstrate) Jesus today, not just for what He can do for us, but for who He really is - the Prince of Peace who came to save us from our sins?

Dear God, we celebrate today just as those people celebrated in Jerusalem two thousand years ago, but help us to understand that Jesus came not just to be our earthly king, but our eternal Savior. Thank You that even when we don't understand Your plans, You are always working for our good. This is the day that You have made; we will rejoice and be glad in it! In Jesus' name, amen.