Mark 11:1-11
11 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,
2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.
3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.
4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.
5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?
6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.
7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.
8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
Palm Sunday is when JESUS comes riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. Can you imagine what it must have been like on that day? All of those people got together to see HIM. They’re shouting Hosanna, Hosanna. The ONE that people were looking for. Thousands gave HIM praises. There were lots of followers of JESUS for about three and a half years. They saw JESUS doing miracles, healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead. They believed HE was the Messiah that the prophets spoke of. And now they are ready to crown HIM as their KING.
They began the week saying JESUS is KING and ended the week rejecting HIM. These same people that shouted “Hosanna in the Highest” were gonna shout “Crucify HIM”.
HIS disciples who argued who was going to be the greatest and sit next to HIM in the kingdom were now forsaking HIM. Peter, who once understood HIM to be the CHRIST was now denying HIM three times.
John 12:37-38
37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
Peter never thought he would deny the LORD. He said he would die for HIM. What about us? How strong is our belief?
Colossians 2:6-8
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
There are lots of people who got a taste of the Truth but because of the fear of man and the fear of being rejected by people or being made fun of, they never confess what they believe.
Peter denying JESUS three times was because he was afraid. We should never be ashamed of the Gospel or what people might say or do to us because we believe in the one true living GOD and HIS name is JESUS. Stand strong in your beliefs and always know you are protected by JESUS. We must be able to boldly confess what we believe. The apostle Paul said, “I believed and therefore I spoke”. We must do the same.
Lots of people don’t want to tell people about JESUS because they’re afraid of what it will cost them. Many people stay in bondage to traditions, because of fear of losing their friends. Because of this, their faith is weakened instead strengthened.
Does living for JESUS excite you? Do you need to repent of your sins? Do you need to get Baptized in JESUS name? Do you need the Holy Ghost? What you waiting on?
Picture care of: Metro