A Turnaround is on its’ Way!

 

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.

They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” 

Revelation 7:9

Continuing our look at the Palm Sunday story...

Having no saddle as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the disciples put their own cloaks on top of the colt.

Doing so was a sign of respect to Jesus.

Others also showed their respect by spreading their cloaks or placing palm branches on the road.

This is the way heroes or conquerors were honored.

The honor is echoed again in Revelation 7:9 which we read above.

As the disciples descended Mount Olivet with Jesus they began loudly proclaiming the mighty deeds they had seen Him do.

In particular, people were excited over the resurrection of Lazarus.

Wouldn’t you be?

John tells us they are met by a large crowd coming out of Jerusalem who had heard that Jesus was coming. The people cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” They were acknowledging their Savior, their rescuer, their King. Mark notes that people were also proclaiming blessings on the kingdom promised to David and Luke’s Gospel notes that they were calling Jesus the King.

The Pharisees were upset with the things the crowd was calling out and they told Jesus to rebuke his followers. But Jesus responded to the Pharisee’s that even if the crowd became quiet, the very rocks would call out the same praises.

We all know the events later in the week that followed this triumphant entry and leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. The despair and hopelessness of the followers of Jesus when He was crucified cannot be overstated. Just a few days earlier He was being hailed as King, now He was dead and buried in a borrowed tomb. This sadness enveloped every one of His followers even though Jesus had foretold of these events to those disciples closest to Him. 

How bleak it must have seemed to those not in the immediate circle of disciples too; those who perhaps followed Jesus from afar and so did not have a single glimmer of hope. Those who had anticipated and eagerly expected an outcome far different than what history up to that point had brought them.

But a turnaround was coming...