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Palm Sunday, April 13
Now this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood are not able to inherit the kingdom of God, neither can corruption inherit incorruption ... (1 Corinthians 15:50)
Passover always occurs in the Spring. It is the greatest season of celebration in the Jewish year, something like Christmas for Christians.
In the third year of Jesus' public ministry, more than two million people crowded into the Holy City, many of them with special excitement. They have heard the stories about this Galilean rabbi, his miraculous powers and rising popularity, and his clashes with the authorities. The question on everyone's lips is, "Will he come?" If we could combine a presidential election with Christmas Day, we'd have something of the electricity in the air that week.
If Jesus came to Jerusalem, there would be no turning back. The authorities were waiting for him like the Gestapo. He could still turn around and retreat to Galilee, healing people and teaching disciples. Or he could go to Jerusalem and ultimately to Calvary. On this Palm Sunday morning, he had to decide.
For the sake your eternal soul, he chose to come to the Holy City and die. Why?
What God's word means
Paul has shown the Corinthians the reasonableness of the resurrection. Now he closes 1 Corinthians 15 by showing them its relevance to their lives, here and in eternity.
Now this I say, brothers could be translated, "Now this I solemnly and emphatically a rm, fellow Christians." This is the rst time in our chapter he has introduced a concept with such a weighty statement. Flesh and blood refers to our present mortal nature. Are not able means "do not have the power or capacity to accomplish." The apostle allows for no exceptions—no human being is able to inherit ("acquire, obtain") the kingdom of God (that realm where God is King).
Why not? Because corruption ("dissolution, destruction") cannot inherit incorruption ("incorruptibility, immortality"). God dwells in incorruptible perfection; we are corrupted creatures. The Lord can no more allow us into his paradise as we are than a surgeon can allow a homeless person into an operating room. Your last sin and mine would be enough to spoil his perfect heaven.
If we are not transformed from corruption to incorruption, we can have no hope of eternal life with our Father. Such transformation is only possible by divine decision and action. Rebels can be admitted into the Kingdom only by the grace of the King.
Why Easter matters
Five centuries before Palm Sunday, the prophet Zechariah had predicted: "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9, NIV). Military conquerors rode on white stallions; men of peace always rode on lowly donkeys. This King would come to his rebellious realm in peace, the prophet claimed.
What would he do when he arrives? Zechariah continues: "He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the [Euphrates] River to the ends of the earth" (v. 10, NIV). What would he do for the crowds milling about Jerusalem this day? "As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit" (v. 11, NIV). He would transform corruption into incorruption, sinful people into sancti fied children, rebels into worshipers.
The prophet promised his people a King who would overthrow their enemies and free them forever, who would rule the entire world from sea to sea and to the ends of the earth. How would they know it was he? He would come to Jerusalem on a donkey, a symbol of peace.
Today the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:7) comes in peace to you.
How to respond
Where in Palm Sunday are you?
The crowds cheered on Sunday but cried "Crucify!" on Friday. I'm in the crowd if I cheer Jesus when he's popular and reject him when he's not. If I worship him for what he will do for me, but refuse what he asks me to do for him. I've been in this crowd. Have you?
What about the religious authorities? Surely none of us would reject Jesus and his claims to be Lord and King. None of us would refuse him his throne in our hearts and lives. None of us would choose our own ambition, or popularity, or status over him—would we? I've been among the authorities. Have you?
What about his disciples, amazed and thrilled by Palm Sunday? They've seen Jesus' power and hoped he was the Messiah—now they have proof of it. They are no longer the lonely faithful. Now they are heroes along with him, leaders in this movement of such promise. But of course, in ve days they forsook him and ed. When they had to risk their lives for his, they refused. When their faith came at a cost, they were bankrupt. I've been among the disciples. Have you?
Consider one other option. On Palm Sunday, the donkey had the greatest honor of all: it carried Jesus. The donkey carried him to Jerusalem for Easter, just as a donkey had carried his mother to Bethlehem for Christmas. The donkey brought Jesus to the people he came to save. In the midst of a fi ckle crowd, prideful authorities, and faithless disciples, the donkey did its job. It alone was faithful.
And now Jesus asks me to love him enough to be his donkey. To carry him to the ckle, prideful, faithless people who need him. To tell his story and share his love in mine. The donkey doesn't matter—only the One it bears.
God still rides a donkey. Will you be his donkey this week?
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