Palm Sunday is an interesting time.
We have the King of Kings, Jesus riding on a donkey and people crying out Hosanna!
“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!"
John 12:13
They are ready to crown their new King for now... but that changes. On Good Friday the crowds to crown him are not around anymore. We have Jesus dragging out his cross and eventually he is nailed to it. An how does Jesus react?
While Jesus was on the Cross, he didn't say:
“Lazarus, where are you?
After all I’ve done for you, can you at least be there for me?
I rose you from the dead! You owe me!”
Where is Zacchaeus?
Andrew - you saw the fish and loaves…
“And Peter, You said,
"Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.” (Matthew 26:35)
I told you you’d deny me!
Where are the ones who wanted to crown him king now?
No, Jesus reacted much differently.
“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”
(1 Peter 2:23)
“For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
(Hebrews 12:3)
We can’t be do hard on the disciples. Are we any different?
Instead Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)
Later we see Jesus meet his disciples after the Resurrection.
“Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.” (Mark 16:14)
Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
Jesus gave Peter a second chance! And Peter runs with it! He gives us all a second chance. Let's run with it!
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