Message for April 2, 2023 from Pastor Shirley

Today we celebrate Palm Sunday.  

The people cut palm branches, waved them in the air, and laid them out on the ground before Jesus as He rode into the city. The palm branch represented goodness and victory. This was symbolic of the final victory He would soon fulfill over death. “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”   1 Corinthians 15:55 

The people were shouting  “Hosanna!” That word actually means “save now,” some of the people were waiting for an earthly king. But God had a different way of bringing salvation to all who would trust in Him. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”       Romans. 10:9

The Bible reads that Jesus wept for Jerusalem. Jesus must have known it would be some of these people who would turn their backs on Him. They would betray him and crucify him. His heart broke in knowing how much they needed a Savior.  “And as He (Jesus” approached, He saw the city, and He wept [audibly] over it, Exclaiming, Would that you had known personally, even at least in this your day, the things that make for peace (for freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin and upon which your peace—your security, safety, prosperity, and happiness—depends)! But now they are hidden from your eyes”.  Luke 19:41-42      

May this day, Palm Sunday remind us that God sent his only begotten Son in human flesh to be the ultimate sacrifice. Yes Friday is coming but so is Sunday. “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,'” John 11:25