Five Short Days to the Cross

On the eve of Palm Sunday, many in the world are turning their minds to Easter.  Over the next few days, the crucifixion of the Savior will be foremost in the thoughts of Christians everywhere.  But tonight, my mind is on the events occurring just a few short days before the massive crowd asked Pilate to crucify the Savior.  This same mass of people honored and adored Jesus only a few days before.

This throng of people had followed Jesus in his ministry.  They had been fed physically by the Master.  They had seen the miracles.  They had seen the sick healed.  They had seen the dead raised.  They had seen it first hand.  They believed.

As Jesus arrived in Jerusalem for the Passover holiday, He was greeted with much adoration and devotion from His followers.  It is difficult to understand that Jesus' "Triumphal Entry" into Jerusalem occurred only five short days before He was beaten, humiliated and hung on a wooden cross.  On this day, people spread their garments on the road to make a royal carpet for the King.  Five days later, they would watch as His arms were spread across the wooden planks, with nails driven deep into His flesh.  On this day, people waved palm branches to greet Him.  Five days later, these same people would wave for Barabbas to be freed from execution in exchange for Jesus' life.  On this day, the crowds cheered for Jesus saying, "Save Us! Hosanna!"  Five days later, they would chant, "Crucify him!"  On this day, they blessed Him as a king, coming in the name of the Lord.  Five days later, they would mock Him, and they would push a crown of thorns into His holy brow. 

Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on a donkey, and He was honored and adored.  Five days later the tide of opinion greatly changed, and He was crucified.   The saddest part to me is that Jesus knew.  Jesus knew that these people welcoming Him on Sunday would be the same people crucifying Him on Friday.  Yet, He came anyway.  He knew those that He dearly loved would turn their backs on Him in the face of crisis.  Yet, He loved them anyway.  He knew everything, but He willingly obeyed the will of His Father. 

Today, Jesus knows so many times that we are going to mess up in our lives.  We are going to try to do what is right, and we are going to fail royally.  But He stays with us anyway.   He hears our prayers and promises of change and repentance.  He hears our words, but He knows our hearts.  Yet, He loves us anyway.

Five short days to the cross, and it was finished.  Today, we crucify Him again and again with our actions.  I crucify Him again and again with my actions.   But luckily, the cross wasn't the end.  Luckily, the cross was just the beginning.  It is much more than luck.  It is a love that we, in our finite minds, simply cannot comprehend.

Yes, it was five short days to the cross.  But it was only three days later for eternity!

(More to come!)