Triumphant Parade!

For Wednesday, September 17, 2025:

Luke 19:38 NLT, the crowd shouting as Jesus entered Jerusalem: “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”

This scripture describes Jesus’ Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem. We celebrate this on Palm Sunday. Many believers anticipated Jesus’ return for Passover, and they were not disappointed!

I’m always amazed at how the scenario begins. Jesus sends two disciples into town to borrow a donkey that heretofore had not been ridden. I’ve never had a donkey, but my uncle had horses, and I know full well the challenges present when riding an unbroken animal! Furthermore, the donkey is valuable. It could not only move people, but also transport farm supplies and haul grain to market. It’d be like if I asked to borrow your Ford F150, we didn’t even know each other, and you said, “Go ahead – here’s the keys!”

I love a parade! Last week we took my grandson (age 3) to the fire truck parade. People cheered and clapped, the trucks rang their big bells and sirens filled the air. Actually, candy filled the air, tossed from the fire trucks, much to the delight of our 3 year old! Jesus’ parade didn’t have candy, but there was plenty of shouting and clapping. People lined the route with palm branches and colorful garments, celebrating the wonderful miracles they had seen. They shouted, “Hosanna!,” which means “Save us – save us now!” You wouldn’t ask anyone to save you unless you believed they could do that! I rest my case!

The Pharisees didn’t like what they saw. “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”

To which Jesus replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

We should all add our cheers to those from along the Jerusalem road: “Hosanna! Save us, save us now!” We believe Jesus already did that for us!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship