In fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 62:11 & Zechariah 9:9), Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowds lined the street shouting "Hosanna! (Save us) Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." (Psalm 118:25-26) The crowds & children excitedly placed palm branches and robes in front of Jesus to make a path for him as he rode into Jerusalem sitting on a donkey's colt. This raucous celebration was particularly disturbing to the religious leaders who were jealous of Jesus. They demanded that Jesus silence the crowd, but he responded that even if the crowd were silent, the stones would cry out. (Oh, I love that?) Palm Sunday: Jesus Triumphal entry into Jerusalem. What a special moment….. You’d think Jesus would be surrounded by his family. I read through every translation I could get my hands on trying to see if I could find a hint of James (Jesus’ brother) in the crowd. Even though James was probably there for Passover there was no mention of it in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John). James, like the other brothers of Jesus, had not believed in Jesus during his earthly ministry (John 7:1-5). They had been concerned that their brother was "out of his mind" during a busy time in his ministry (Mark 3:20-21). They had also felt the sting of his words that seemed to suggest that he cared less for his kinfolk than he did for his newfound followers whom he called family (Mark 3:31-35). Even in Jesus home town the Nazarenes displayed obstinate prejudices against Jesus & His preaching! “Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joses, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him (Mark 6:3).
The events of the week between The Triumphal entry into Jerusalem and Resurrection Sunday would forever change the world. Jesus entered Jerusalem and the crowd welcomed him as a king. By the end of the week they were demanding his death. His followers abandoned him in fear. None of his close followers had really understood the events of Palm Sunday and Holy Week until after Jesus returned. They had all expected Jesus to be an earthly king, but God had given them something so much better - an open door into a Kingdom that would never end.
A pearl to string: I’m not a Biblical Scholar (not even close) but as I read & study God’s Word I think Jesus brother James was there. I think James witnessed the entire Passion Week and his brother’s death on a cross. I think the encounter profoundly changed James for all eternity. Look at this: *James begins his short epistle with these words: "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ ..." (James 1:1). So he came from being an unbeliever (John 7:1-5), to seeing himself as a servant (the word literally means "slave") of the Lord Jesus Christ. WOW!
There must be a tear of joy in Jesus eye for every life His Resurrection has changed.
May you be ever changed by Jesus love for you,
Lyndi
*The Epistle (letter) of James was written by James, also called James the Just, who is thought to be the brother (half) of Jesus (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). There are three other persons called by this name in the New Testament. One was James, the Greater, the son of Zebedee, an apostle (Matthew 10:2) and the brother of the Apostle John. Another is James, the son of Alphaeus, who was also one of the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:3). The remaining James is the father of the Apostle Judas (Luke 6:16).
The events of the week between The Triumphal entry into Jerusalem and Resurrection Sunday would forever change the world. Jesus entered Jerusalem and the crowd welcomed him as a king. By the end of the week they were demanding his death. His followers abandoned him in fear. None of his close followers had really understood the events of Palm Sunday and Holy Week until after Jesus returned. They had all expected Jesus to be an earthly king, but God had given them something so much better - an open door into a Kingdom that would never end.
A pearl to string: I’m not a Biblical Scholar (not even close) but as I read & study God’s Word I think Jesus brother James was there. I think James witnessed the entire Passion Week and his brother’s death on a cross. I think the encounter profoundly changed James for all eternity. Look at this: *James begins his short epistle with these words: "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ ..." (James 1:1). So he came from being an unbeliever (John 7:1-5), to seeing himself as a servant (the word literally means "slave") of the Lord Jesus Christ. WOW!
There must be a tear of joy in Jesus eye for every life His Resurrection has changed.
May you be ever changed by Jesus love for you,
Lyndi
*The Epistle (letter) of James was written by James, also called James the Just, who is thought to be the brother (half) of Jesus (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). There are three other persons called by this name in the New Testament. One was James, the Greater, the son of Zebedee, an apostle (Matthew 10:2) and the brother of the Apostle John. Another is James, the son of Alphaeus, who was also one of the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:3). The remaining James is the father of the Apostle Judas (Luke 6:16).
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