The One Who Rode to Waving Palms

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 10:54 pm Post subject: The One Who Rode to Waving Palms

The One Who Rode to Waving Palms

Scripture:

And having said these things, he went before, going up to Jerusalem. And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethania, unto the mount called Olivet, he sent two of his disciples, saying: Go into the town which is over against you, at your entering into which you shall find the colt of an ass tied, on which no man ever has sit: loose him and bring him hither. And if any man shall ask you: Why do you loose him? You shall say thus unto him: Because the Lord has need of his service.

And they that were sent went their way and found the colt standing, as he said unto them. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said to them: Why loose you the colt? But they said: Because the Lord has need of him. And they brought him to Jesus. And casting their garments on the colt, they set Jesus thereon. And as he went, they spread their clothes underneath in the way. And when he was now coming near the descent of Mount Olivet, the whole multitude of his disciples began with joy to praise God with a loud voice, for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: Blessed be the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory on high! And some of the Pharisees, from among the multitude, said to him: Master, rebuke your disciples. To whom he said: I say to you that if these shall hold their peace, the stones will cry out. (Luke 19:28-40)

The Lord has given me a learned tongue, that I should know how to uphold by word him that is weary: he wakens in the morning, in the morning he wakens my ear, that I may hear him as a master. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I do not resist: I have not gone back. I have given my body to the strikers, and my cheeks to them that plucked them: I have not turned away my face from them that rebuked me, and spit upon me. The Lord God is my helper, therefore am I not confounded: therefore have I set my face as a most hard rock, and I know that I shall not be confounded. (Isaiah 50:4-7)

Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause, God also has exalted him and has given him a name which is above all names: That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth and that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11)

And the whole multitude of them, rising up, led him to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying: We have found this man perverting our nation and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar and saying that he is Christ the king. And Pilate asked him, saying: Are you the king of the Jews? But he answering, said: You say it. And Pilate said to the chief priests and to the multitudes: I find no cause in this man. But they were more earnest, saying: He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place. But Pilate hearing Galilee, asked if the man were of Galilee? And when he understood that he was of Herod?s jurisdiction, he sent him away to Herod, who was also himself at Jerusalem in those days.

And Herod seeing Jesus, was very glad: for he was desirous of a long time to see him, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to see some sign wrought by him. And he questioned him in many words. But he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes stood by, earnestly accusing him. And Herod with his army set him at nought and mocked him, putting on him a white garment: and sent him back to Pilate.

And Herod and Pilate were made friends, that same day: for before they were enemies one to another. And Pilate, calling together the chief priests and the magistrates and the people, said to them: You have presented unto me this man as one that perverts the people. And behold I, having examined him before you, find no cause in this man, in those things wherein you accuse him. No, nor Herod neither. For, I sent you to him: and behold, nothing worthy of death is done to him. I will chastise him therefore and release him.

Now of necessity he was to release unto them one upon the feast day. But the whole multitude together cried out, saying: Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: Who, for a certain sedition made in the city and for a murder, was cast into prison. And Pilate again spoke to them, desiring to release Jesus. But they cried again, saying: Crucify him, Crucify him. And he said to them the third time: Why, what evil has this man done? I find no cause of death in him. I will chastise him therefore and let him go.

But they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And their voices prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he released unto them him who for murder and sedition had been cast into prison, whom they had desired. But Jesus he delivered up to their will. And as they led him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of people and of women, who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them, said: Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me; but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days shall come, wherein they will say: Blessed are the barren and the wombs that have not borne and the paps that have not given suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains: Fall upon us. And to the hills: Cover us. For if in the green wood they do these things, what shall be done in the dry?

And there were also two other malefactors led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified him there: and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. And Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. But they, dividing his garments, cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers with them derided him, saying: He saved others: let him save himself, if he be Christ, the elect of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar, and saying: If you be the king of the Jews, save yourself.

And there was also a superscription written over him in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of those robbers who were hanged blasphemed him, saying: If you be Christ, save yourself and us. But the other answering, rebuked him, saying: Neither do you fear God, seeing; you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly: for we receive the due reward of our deeds. But this man has done no evil. And he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when you shall come into your kingdom. And Jesus said to him: Amen I say to you: This day you shall be with me in paradise.

And it was almost the sixth hour: and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And Jesus crying with a loud voice, said: Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. And saying this, he gave up the ghost. Now, the centurion, seeing what was done, glorified God, saying: Indeed this was a just man. And all the multitude of them that were come together to that sight and saw the things that were done returned, striking their breasts. And all his acquaintance and the women that had followed him from Galilee stood afar off, beholding these things. (Luke 23:1-49)

Reflection:

And so it was that what was foretold in prophesy would be set in motion. The children of His creation would see their king and many would cheer, their hearts filled with the sight, they paved His way with palms, giving thanks and praise for the One sent from the Father; but they did not comprehend what was coming or the eternal meaning of the events to happen. The Son of the Father knew. For the sake of the sinful, He came to give of Himself. He came to fulfill the prophesy. He Came to give glory to the Father and to become the path of salvation for all.

In the shadows, others would watch; others who also did not comprehend the One before them. Despite the wisdom of His teachings, they were blinded by the ways of the world. Though they spoke of the law, they failed to comprehend its meaning and missed the truth which was before them. They would plot against the One who could save them. Though He knew of what they planned and the one who was to betray Him, He did not turn away, rather He offered Himself so that generations would come to know and receive the blessings which could only have come through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.

He came to be the example of the commandments to love. While generations have fought among themselves for power and position, He who was the most powerful walked among the children of His creation as a servant. He did so to guide them, to help them understand the blessings of love and selflessness. Blessed were those who witnessed and understood, for through their belief in Him and what He taught them, they found the path to the kingdom of heaven.

Just as the evil one tried to tempt Him in the desert, scoffers derided Him to prove who He was by saving Himself from what was being inflicted upon Him; but He did not come to save Himself, rather, He came to save the souls of the children of His creation. As the day continued to unfold, those who witnessed would see prophesies fulfilled. Some would comprehend, but some would choose to remain blind. Those who beat their breast in sorrow would become blessed for what was done for them was for their salvation.

As the generations have progressed from that day, many knees have and will continue to bow in honor, thanks and praise for the greatest of gifts offered to them. Through Him, through His sacrifice, the sins of the world were consumed by Him so that those who believe in Him may live with Him forever in His kingdom.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier