Thoughts About Palm Sunday

Yesterday was Palm Sunday, so during our family devotions we were talking about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. (Luke 19:28-40)

It talks about how every one was so excited to see Jesus coming because they thought he was going to establish his kingdom - you know, overthrow their Roman oppressors. The Jews were suffering greatly at the hands of the Roman empire and they were waiting for their Messiah to overthrow the Romans. That's what they wanted; that's what they thought would happen, that's what they thought they needed.. An end to their physical sufferings.

While we were discussing this, it occurred to me that many people of the time were horribly disappointed when instead of overthrowing the Romans, Jesus was crucified -killed as a common criminal. Hardly the event they were looking forward to just a few days before. This is NOT what they thought the Messiah would do and this is NOT what they thought was in their best interest. But, Jesus, being God, knew better. He knew that the people did not know what they needed the most. They didn't need an end to their physical sufferings, they needed a solution for their spiritual suffering. He essentially ignored their perceived need and dealt with the REAL issue, their real need. And it's a good thing he did! The Jews continued on under Roman rule, oppressed and suffering, BUT they were given an eternal hope that when the suffering on this earth ends there can be eternal peace, eternal joy and an end to ALL suffering.

How often I look for a solution to my inconveniences or my suffering. How often I pray for God to take away some difficulty in my life - to make my physical life easier. It's certainly not wrong to do that, but I need to rest in the truth that Jesus knows my real needs and he will provide for them - no matter what the cost.

So this post is for those of you that are suffering under difficult circumstances right now; Jesus knows your real needs and he will provide for them, even if he leaves you suffering under physical needs for the time being.