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The Easter season is very important to me because it marks the resurrection of Jesus at a precise moment in time. It is an undisputed calendar event that occurs annually.
While the dead, burial, and resurrection (especially his resurrection) of Jesus will always be disputed, archaeologists recently discovered evidence that a garden existed by Christ’s (perceived) tomb under the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
Its significance is based on the writings of the Apostle John in Chapter 19.
They took Jesus’ body and, following the Jewish burial custom, wrapped it in linen with the spices.
There was a garden near the place he was crucified, and in the garden, a new tomb in which no one had yet been placed.
So, because it was Sabbath preparation for the Jews and the tomb was convenient, they placed Jesus in it.
John 19:40-42 The Message
One day, Jesus stepped out of the boat, and the religious leaders gathered around him, pressing him to prove who he was. His answer resonated with an unbelieving population.
“When they arrived, the Pharisees came out and started in on him, badgering him to prove himself, pushing him up against the wall.
Provoked, he said, “Why does this generation clamor for miraculous guarantees? If I have anything to say about it, you’ll not get so much as a hint of a guarantee.”
Mark 8:11-12 The Message
The Christ-follower walks by faith but isn’t blind faith (although some elements are).
Faith is the belief and assurance that God is who he says he is, and does what he says he will do.
Three examples
1-When a person accepts Jesus into their heart, there is an act of faith, but there is also an inner connection that is known. It is an unexplainable knowing.
In other words, I don’t know how I know, but I know, and you cannot convince me otherwise.
2-Beyond that, there is an inner witness that Jesus is alive.
For example, one day while on a boat on Lake Genesareth, the guide shut off the engine and pointed, saying that Jesus came walking on the water from that direction. The instant I heard those words, I realized that I was on the same lake Jesus walked on.
It was powerful, and no one can convince me otherwise.
3-As your walk with the Lord deepens, there will be times when you ask him for something and he does it.
For example, before my wife got her car, she asked the Lord for a very specific type and features.
The Lord provided the precise car. You will not convince her that it wasn’t the Lord’s doing. Someone else might consider it coincidence, but not my wife.
The same applies to Christ-followers and any “proof” that Jesus is alive. There is an inner knowing that he is, even without any outward signs, although the three examples offer convincing evidence.
Why is the triumphal entry of Jesus important?
It happened over two thousand years ago on this Sunday (remember, Sunday was the first day of the week). If we could time-travel on Palm Sunday to the year 33 A.D., we would watch Jesus ride a donkey into Jerusalem.
Jesus had entered Jerusalem many times during his ministry. However, on this day, he has his disciples bring him a donkey to ride into the city.
The next day, the huge crowd that had arrived for the Feast heard that Jesus was entering Jerusalem.
They broke off palm branches and went out to meet him. And they cheered: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in God’s name! Yes! The King of Israel!
Jesus got a young donkey and rode it, just as the Scripture has it:
No fear, Daughter Zion: See how your king comes, riding a donkey’s colt.
The disciples didn’t notice the fulfillment of many Scriptures at the time, but after Jesus was glorified, they remembered that what was written about him matched what was done to him.
John 12:12-16 The Message
Another reason the triumphal entry is important is that it was prophesied over 500 years before it happened, which validates the accuracy of the Bible.
“Shout and cheer, Daughter Zion! Raise the roof, Daughter Jerusalem! Your king is coming! A good king who makes all things right, a humble king riding a donkey, a mere colt of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9 The Message
Consider this
Over 500 years before it happened, a man declared it would happen in a certain way, and it did.
Coincidence?
Hardly. The Spirit of God moved a righteous man to utter words about a man and an event the man had no knowledge of. For 500 years, a case could have been made that the man was a liar. But on this day (Palm Sunday), it happens precisely as the man said it would.
The third reason the triumph entry is important is that it set in motion humanity-altering events that only God, the creator, could accomplish.
Palm Sunday led to Good Friday, which led to resurrection Sunday.
The call of the Spirit is going out across the land for light bearers and (wisdom-speaking) truth givers to bring the words of life to a lost and dying world—one person at a time.
Will you join me?
The journey is exciting and scary, and I am thankful for everyone who is willing to accompany me on it.
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