By Tom Shanklin

“And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.” Luke 19:37, 38, KJV.

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, there was excitement in the air. The King was coming to town. They shouted praises unto the King with loud voices, laying their garments on the way and breaking palm branches from off the trees. They gave Him a reception fit for a King.

On Palm Sunday, we begin what the Church calls “Holy Week” leading up to Resurrection Sunday.

Paul in His epistle to the Romans talks about how one man thinks a certain day is special, but others think every day is the same. (Romans 13:5) In general, I tend to be’more of an “every day is the same” guy. I think every day with Jesus is Christmas, Palm Sunday, and Resurrection Sunday. I believe we should live with a zeal and devotion for God every day of the year. I don’t want to get all hyped up about the Lord on a holiday and then forget Him the rest of the year.

But this year I’m impressed about what a holy and significant time this is—this Holy Week which began when Jesus rode into Jerusalem amidst the shouts of the people. He went into the temple and overturned the money changer’s tables and healed the sick as the children shouted his praises. It was this week that He sweated great drops of blood at Gethseme as He made the inward decision to do His Father’s will and go to a cruel cross for you and me.

At the cross, He suffered and bled to death and said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” He died for His friends, but even more astoundingly, He died for His enemies.

His body lie lifeless and cold in the grave. The once cheering disciples were now mourning, all hope was gone.

But our Father had other plans. He had planned a joyous reversal—a resurrection of Jesus, and a resurrection of hope. It was a resurrection that continues until today. Whenever men hear and believe in our Savior Who died and rose again, He gives them New Life, free from the bonds of iniquity.

Isn’t it time that we think about the Lord? Isn’t it time that we honor the King as He comes into our cities, into our churches, into our lives? Isn’t it time that we let Holy Week be holy, set apart to God?

Yes, it’s time to remember the Lord!

The devil wants Resurrection Sunday to be another innocuous secular holiday, with powerless seasonal emblems. As we approach this holy time, Satan wants us to be occupied with every other thing but the celebration of our King. He wants to put a bushel upon the light of the Church, and keep us from shouting the glorious praise of the one who paid such a great price to set us free.

Yes, it’s time. It’s time! It’s time to celebrate the King! Let us welcome Him into our lives with joyful praises today. Hosanna to the King! Hosanna!