Abba's Dearly Beloved

I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness.

Isaiah 61:10

Today is Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday marking the celebration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem from the village of Bethphage hailed by crowds as the Messiah who laid down palm branches or their cloaks along the road before him in deference and worship. The words of the prophet Zechariah proclaimed several hundred years earlier were fulfilled as Jesus rode on a colt (a young male donkey) towards his crucifixion and humanity’s redemption:

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

Passion Sunday marks the beginning of the long road that Jesus the living embodiment of the divine word of God seen before human eyes; our hope and redeemer would take to the cross on Calvary’s hill where he as the living Passover lamb would shoulder all our wrong doing, sickness, shame, fear and bondage. Such a barrier built from these very things was torn down between us and God as Jesus hung there saying “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.” The prophetic words penned by the prophet Isaiah the suffering servant of God pay tribute to what Jesus did:

“The punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

What can one say to the one who gave his own unblemished sinless self for each one of us, even sometimes when our backs were turned away or we mocked as the mockers did whist Jesus hung on the cross, the sinless saviour still willingly died for us? For love such as this is what disarms the hardest of hearts and draws it towards the arms of a Holy, powerful but all loving God. Has your heart melted and defensive walls lowered to the gracious, undeserved but generous, constant love of Jesus we see not just at the road he took to his death on a cross but flowing every day?

We have much to thank God for as His resurrection from the dead three days would seal his victory over death both physical and spiritual that held humanity captive in shame and broken sinfulness.  

So it is that we arrive at a simple thought to mark Palm Sunday. As the crowds laid down their cloaks in worship and surrender to Jesus as he rode before them (Matthew 21:8), are we willing to once again surrender our own garments that we have at times tried to cover ourselves with before our King, submit to his sovereignty and choose to wear again the righteous robes given to us by our glorious, victorious king? At a time when people in the world are battling with fear and feeling a loss of control and uncertainty, it can be tempting to get lost or swamped by it, wearing it as a garment so to speak. We may be wearing cloaks that are weighing us down but which we can lay down once again for in truth they do not belong to us or own us. For those of us who have received Jesus as King we can once again don the garments of our true identity; the righteous royal robes of our King, given to us as sons and daughters and co-heirs with Jesus Christ to an eternal inheritance.

At a time of uncertainty for many, one thing is an unchanging certainty, the authority, sovereignty and unfailing love of our Heavenly King, Jesus; A King who died for us and rose from the dead taking us who are united with him and seating us in the heavenly realms with him (Ephesians 2:6); A King who as he himself said does not leave us as orphans but comes to us! (John 14:18), for we are not spiritual orphans but sons and daughters who have a divine Father.

So today, consider once again laying down your own garments that you have found yourself wearing of fear, uncertainty, depression, anxiety or whatever you feel the Holy Spirit show you. Lay them down before King Jesus who rides before you in victory. He knows what you are going through but is sovereign and a safe place as the psalmist said, a strong tower in which to take refuge (Psalm 18:10).

This week in Holy week leading up to Easter, I urge you to consider focusing on the faithfulness of Jesus, both in walking that journey to the cross for you and me but also call to mind the faithfulness and kindness in your own life.

Finally I think it fitting to end with this passage from Psalm 34:4-8. Meditate and reflect on these truths which point to a divine king who delivers us from fear as well as death and let your heart taste again as the psalmist says, the sweetness of Gods unfailing, inherent goodness.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Psalm 34:4-8

Prayer: Thank you Jesus my dear Lord and Saviour that you are a righteous, faithful, sovereign and richly loving beyond all I could ask or think. Thank you hold everything in your hand, and nothing escapes your notice or is beyond your control. I want to lay the burdens and fears I have been wearing as garments before your feet and be reminded that my true garments and identity lie in the light burden of your robes of righteousness and joy in the fulness of your loving presence and my eternal destiny. Rekindle hope in me and forgive me when my eyes have been focused on the wind and the waves around me rather than you as my anchor. In the name of Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Hosanna in the highest!