Palm Sunday
Read
john 12:12-19
The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”
At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”
At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
Reflect
The crowds were amazed at what Jesus had done for Lazarus. Isn’t it interesting that instead of crowding Him and asking for their own healing, they simply worshiped? In awe of what He had done, all they could do was worship. If you were in the crowds that day, what do you think your response would have been?
Perhaps if this happened today, many of us would be there but with our backs turned, iPhone held high to snap the perfect selfie as Jesus passed by, ready to post about seeing @JesusChrist tagged with #hosanna. Then, we may refresh the app a few times to see who likes that we saw Jesus, and maybe if Jesus Himself likes that we tagged Him.
We’ve lost the simplicity of Jesus in our media chaos. Our culture reinforces that so much about life - even our relationship with Jesus - is about us.
These crowds got it. This was ALL ABOUT JESUS.
Hosanna was a form of praise, but it also was a word used to talk about salvation, help or rescue—to ask for it or proclaim that it is here.
What has God rescued you from in the past? What are you needing God to rescue you from today? Does acknowledging this need and rescue lead you to worship?
Perhaps if this happened today, many of us would be there but with our backs turned, iPhone held high to snap the perfect selfie as Jesus passed by, ready to post about seeing @JesusChrist tagged with #hosanna. Then, we may refresh the app a few times to see who likes that we saw Jesus, and maybe if Jesus Himself likes that we tagged Him.
We’ve lost the simplicity of Jesus in our media chaos. Our culture reinforces that so much about life - even our relationship with Jesus - is about us.
These crowds got it. This was ALL ABOUT JESUS.
Hosanna was a form of praise, but it also was a word used to talk about salvation, help or rescue—to ask for it or proclaim that it is here.
What has God rescued you from in the past? What are you needing God to rescue you from today? Does acknowledging this need and rescue lead you to worship?
Respond
Level 1 (designed for children)
Take one small donkey from the box and let it serve as a reminder of the day Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. This fulfilled a prophesy from the Old Testament and showed the people that Jesus was a DIFFERENT kind of king. When you hold the small donkey, thank Jesus for His love for you.
Level 2
Read or sing the words of the song, “Hosanna,” below and let the words be your prayer. Acknowledge your need for Jesus and thank Him for how He has saved and forgiven you.
level 3
In your time of worship and prayer using the words of “Hosanna,” ask God to show you what you may be worshipping more than Jesus. Surrender this to Him and determine one step you will take to seek Jesus above all else.
Hosanna
Heal my heart and make it clean.
Open up my eyes to the things unseen.
Show me how to love like you have loved me.
Break my heart for what breaks yours.
Everything I am for Your kingdom’s cause.
As I walk from earth into eternity.
Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the Highest.
Heal my heart and make it clean.
Open up my eyes to the things unseen.
Show me how to love like you have loved me.
Break my heart for what breaks yours.
Everything I am for Your kingdom’s cause.
As I walk from earth into eternity.
Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the Highest.
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Hints!
Hint 1
There is a really nice parking lot at Harmon Park! Take a stroll down the bike path, and follow the tracks up the hill to find the trail entrance!
Hint 2
About 75 feet down the trail on your right, you will come across this tree! Take a right after this tree.
Walk a little deeper to find the cache behind the downed tree pictured below.
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