A worldwide survey was done throughout the world on recognizable symbols. The Olympic symbol of the five linked rings was recognized by 92% of the people of the world. The McDonald’s golden arches and the Shell Oil shell were recognized by 88% of people. The Christian cross was recognized by only 54%.
One conclusion might be that the Olympics, McDonald’s and Shell Oil are better missionaries than we Christians are.
Rembrandt painted a Crucifixion with Jesus bathed in white. At the foot of the cross are Mary and John. In the corner of the painting is Rembrandt himself. Rembrandt was reminding himself that by his own sins, he too was responsible for the painful death of his Savior.
Jesus spent 12,045 days on this earth. The four Gospels only tell us about 100 days of his life. All four Gospels give us a detailed look at Holy Week. Today’s Gospel is long (Luke 22:14 – 23:56). Every detail of Jesus’ Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem he had worked out beforehand. Jesus even had a password: “The Master has need of it.”
Today is the only time Jesus encourages the people to salute him as king. All the other times he disappears or goes to the mountains to pray. Jesus enters into Jerusalem to accept his earthly mission – death on a cross to save us from our sins.
Spend some quiet time this Palm Sunday and during Holy Week with Jesus who died and rose for YOU.
JESUS KNEW THE PRICE OF YOUR SINS WAS DEATH. BUT HE COULDN’T BEAR TO LIVE IN ETERNITY WITHOUT YOU. SO JESUS CHOSE THE NAILS.
