In the Midst...

In the midst of the sorrows is consolation, in the midst of the darkness is light, in the midst of the despair is hope, in the midst of Babylon is a glimpse of Jerusalem, and in the midst of the army of demons is the consoling angel. ~ Henry Nouwen

Allegiance to the Kingdom

"On the day of Pentecost the Spirit began something entirely new…. Those being saved declared their allegiance to Christ by throwing in their lot with the original apostolic band. They didn’t just ‘receive Jesus into their hearts,’ and then decide to attend worship services in Jerusalem. No, they declared and defined their allegiance to the Kingdom by joining themselves with God’s new society–with those whose lives were marked by an altogether different way of living where heart, soul, house and property were shared."
~ Charles Moore

Waving Palms

But everyone who lined the streets had a different reason for waving those palms. Some were political activists; they'd heard Jesus had supernatural power, and they wanted him to use it to free Israel from Roman rule. Others had loved ones who were sick or dying. They waved branches, hoping for physical healing. Some were onlookers merely looking for something to do, while others were genuine followers who wished Jesus would establish himself as an earthly king. Jesus was the only one in the parade who knew why he was going to Jerusalem - to die. He had a mission, while everyone else had an agenda.

~ Bill Hybels

Life-Saving Answers

We wave palms because we have long awaited God's deliverance and now we're within 7 days of it. We wave palms because Jesus shows us life-saving answers when we feel crushed by problems threatening to overcome us. We wave palms because Jesus has set us free from the destructive longings of our fallen nature. We wave palms because, like the pilgrims who came to Jerusalem and gave thanks for their healing by Jesus, we too can really be healed in body, mind, and spirit.

~ Kevin Gray

Humbly on a Donkey HE Went

I worship you Lord! You did not enter your holy city Jerusalem on the back of a war horse, but humbly and on a donkey. You knew that you were surrounded by murderers, yet you came in peace, and by your sacrifice you would utterly conquer death before the week had passed. You, oh Lord, are blessed and worthy of my praise. You have saved your people. I say, "You are my king!"... I long to live in the city where you sit on the throne! Establish your Kingdom, so that your people can live in peace. Jesus, I bow before you, and I will sing your praises until your Kingdom comes and is established, and forever after.

~ David Maddalena