“You keep him in perfect peace (shalom shalom) whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isa 26:3).
- SIGNIFICANCE of Palm Sunday
When a king rides on a donkey and enters the city he comes with gentleness and in peace. But when the same king rides on a horse, he comes as a war-waging king. - SYMBOLISM of Palm Branch
In the Middle East, the palm branch is a symbol of victory, triumph, peace, and eternal life.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the Jews took palm branches and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the
Lord, even the King of Israel!”
They thought He would be the king of Israel. Instead, He died a cruel death on the Cross. He came to defeat Satan and rescue souls from eternal death and separation from God.
In the future, “a great multitude…with palm branches in their hands” will cry out, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” - IMPLICATIONS for today
This world will hate those who love Jesus. Do not expect that there will be lasting peace negotiated by men. Men cannot have peace with each other unless there is peace with God.
“…in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). This tribulation is caused by the fallen world. There will be the Great Tribulation period when the holy God pours out His wrath to judge the world of unbelief and wickedness.
On Palm Sunday, Jesus Christ, the Prince of peace, came with gentleness to bring peace between men and God. Sin is not believing in Jesus. There is a war raging in each person’s heart. True peace begins with peace with God. Seek men to be reconciled with God. Those who trust in God have the perfect peace of God.
As sure as Christ’s first entry to Jerusalem, His second into Jerusalem is certain. He will ride on a white war-horse into Jerusalem. He will rule the whole earth with justice, righteousness and peace He will enter the city of Jerusalem by the Eastern Gate from the Mount of Olives.
RESPONSE
- Are you at peace with God and have the perfect peace of God?
- Are you unsettled in life and struggling to have peace?
Elder Yoong Yuen Soo
