The Prince of Peace
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9 and Matthew 21:5, CSB)
These words reflect both the prophecy and the actual event of what we know as Palm Sunday. On this day, Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Although we know that donkeys are considered beasts of burden and have tasks to perform, on this day it was Jesus who had the crushing burden – knowing full well what was to come in the next days.
The contrast between this joyful procession and the hatred that would soon lead to Jesus’ death are hard to conceive. Knowing the rejection and suffering He would soon endure, Christ must have felt a deep sadness; yet He rode toward Jerusalem and His destiny anyway – feeling the sting even as people around Him were singing His praises.
“Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” (Luke 19:38-40)
All creation recognizes the Creator, even though His people may be quiet.
But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.” (Luke 19:41-42)
We too should be weeping over the evil in our world -- even today as the people of Ukraine flee or fight for their homeland. Amazing people! Even as they leave behind everything of their former lives, interviews show them to be dignified, brave and humble – as they and other nations search for peace.
In the midst of war and the evil in our world, there is no peace – except in the person of Jesus Christ. His heart breaks for people to know peace; His heart broke on that Palm Sunday, and it breaks today as people continue to struggle to find peace. He knows that without Him, peace is hidden from our eyes.
Accepting Him as our personal Lord and Savior is the only way to have real peace in life. Accept Christ today! He’s our certain hope and our Prince of Peace.
By Kimberly Pope
These words reflect both the prophecy and the actual event of what we know as Palm Sunday. On this day, Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Although we know that donkeys are considered beasts of burden and have tasks to perform, on this day it was Jesus who had the crushing burden – knowing full well what was to come in the next days.
The contrast between this joyful procession and the hatred that would soon lead to Jesus’ death are hard to conceive. Knowing the rejection and suffering He would soon endure, Christ must have felt a deep sadness; yet He rode toward Jerusalem and His destiny anyway – feeling the sting even as people around Him were singing His praises.
“Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” (Luke 19:38-40)
All creation recognizes the Creator, even though His people may be quiet.
But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.” (Luke 19:41-42)
We too should be weeping over the evil in our world -- even today as the people of Ukraine flee or fight for their homeland. Amazing people! Even as they leave behind everything of their former lives, interviews show them to be dignified, brave and humble – as they and other nations search for peace.
In the midst of war and the evil in our world, there is no peace – except in the person of Jesus Christ. His heart breaks for people to know peace; His heart broke on that Palm Sunday, and it breaks today as people continue to struggle to find peace. He knows that without Him, peace is hidden from our eyes.
Accepting Him as our personal Lord and Savior is the only way to have real peace in life. Accept Christ today! He’s our certain hope and our Prince of Peace.
By Kimberly Pope
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