Today is Palm Sunday. I almost missed it. I don’t look at a calendar very often.
This is the day, Jesus said, that if the people didn’t praise Him the very rocks would cry out. I’ve always wondered what the rocks would have sounded like.
It reminds me of that verse in Isaiah that the song “The Trees of the Field” is based on. The song is copyrighted, but you can read the lyrics here. There is no audio file, but the chords are given and the song is written in Dminor, if that helps. Part of the reason I love this song is because it is in minor. I love minor songs. But this one is a happy minor, if you can believe such a thing exists. Below is the verse it’s based on:
For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace;
The mountains and the hills
Shall break forth into singing before you,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:12
I thought about posting the text of a hymn of praise, but there were too many good ones to choose from. Then I thought about posting the text of a psalm of praise, but again, there were too many good ones. So I will have to tell you to go read your hymnal and go read your Bible! Or, you can share with me your favorite hymn, psalm, or spiritual song (Ephesians 5:19) in comments. I look forward to hearing which ones you like. If you don’t have a hymnal handy you can refresh your memory of the lyrics or tune over at cyberhymnal.
Meanwhile have a very blessed Palm Sunday as you reflect on the Savior who entered Jerusalem being lauded as a conquering king, but who was really entering the city for a very different reason, to die as a condemned criminal. The people thought he was there to conquer the Romans and set up a Jewish kingdom, but he was really there to conquer something much more profound: sin and death and the wrath of God. As things have turned out that has had a greater and more lasting effect than a Jewish overthrow of the Romans would have. Thank you, Jesus, for dying in my place.
May God bless you all.