Yesterday, we celebrated the final entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. He was honored with shouts of “Hosanna,” as he rode in on a donkey. In a matter of days, the crowd would turn on Him and chant, “Crucify Him, crucify Him.” We’ve all seen evidence of herd mentality or peer pressure and maybe that’s why this turn of events was so important. Beyond that thought, the plan originated by God Himself was culminating, just as He designed. Our Savior, our King, our Jesus, would face false accusations, untrue charges and the execution of a criminal.
Why would we celebrate such an event?

This plan of God’s was instituted in the Garden of Eden, after Adam and Eve became vulnerable to the attack of Satan. This fallen angel was determined to take God’s place, but God had other ideas. From that day on, His plan for salvation was established. In all the historical writings of the Old Testament, we see stories of God’s commands, His requirements of us, His expectations and the eventual failures of those same people. We also read about mankind’s inability to live up to God’s perfect plan for our lives. We continue to think we can outthink God. We continue to follow the world, rather than His laws. When Jesus came as our substitute, we received God’s love in an unconditional form. His story was foretold in those early writings. He took on the task of living a perfect life. He was fully human, but without sin. He died so we could live. He rose from death. By doing so, we have the promise of eternal life. That’s definitely worth celebrating.

Looking beyond the suffering, the torture, the blood and nails that pierced Him, we have hope. God loves the world so much that He died for it. His life didn’t end at the cross and because of that we can be assured of a future beyond the grave. When our time comes, when death is imminent, we can also know that Jesus’ has taken the sting of death away so that we can someday meet Him face to face.