Sunday, April 10th

The Path He Chose

by Pastor Aaron Goulet

What would Jesus have seen with his own eyes as He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? According to Luke 19:28-44, there would have been large and enthusiastic crowds welcoming him from all sides. Shouts of “Hosanna” and “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord” would have rung through the streets. He would see the makeshift path consisting of clothing and cut palm branches laid before him as he rode through the city on a donkey. He saw the people welcoming the long awaited Messiah. As we read about this triumphant entry, we already know how the story ends - and Jesus did too. As the donkey carried him along the path of palm leaves, he knew that many of the people shouting praise would be shouting for his death a few short days later. He knew that he was riding into a political firestorm of intense opposition from religious leaders that would lead to his immense suffering and death. He knew that many people would not understand his mission to save them. The crowds were waiting for their warrior king to end oppressive Roman rule; they would not see that he had come as the suffering servant, to die in our place and give us peace with God. And yet, he continued on that path. As Jesus experienced this unique moment in his life on earth, we need to remind ourselves we are in this story too. We were the joy in the mind of Christ that kept him true to the path ahead. This mission was for our deliverance and he would see it through. He would willingly enter Jerusalem and experience the betrayal, torture, humiliation and death on the cross that was waiting for him. Jesus would demonstrate to all of humanity what it truly meant to be the one that came in the name of the Lord, the King of Peace. Scripture teaches us that, even with suffering as awful as anyone could imagine, it was his joy to complete. May this encourage your heart as you think about what Jesus willingly went through in order to save us. “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.“ (Hebrews 12:2)