Jesus, Who Gave Himself Up for Sinners

Riding on a donkey’s colt, Jesus enters Jerusalem. The crowd waved palm branches, spread their cloaks on the road and cried out “Hosanna”, and the disciples were swept up in the excitement along with them.

Yet this acclaim was not for a Messiah who would save them from sin. It was for a mighty king who would set them free from Rome. The same crowd would later shout for Jesus to be put to death, and only after his eyes met those of Jesus did Peter see that he had denied him three times. Praise raised in hope of the things of this world turns to betrayal once circumstances change.

Jesus knew that such people would betray him, and still he chose to take up the cross for their sake. The apostle Paul, aware that he was the worst of sinners, lived a life of dying daily. To lay aside worldly desire and human righteousness and to follow Jesus in honest faith: this is the decision asked of God’s people today.