Preparation and Palm Sunday

“Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:8-9 NIV)

While growing up as a young boy in the 1980s, I became heavily involved in my local troop of the Boy Scouts of America. The Scout motto, “Be Prepared,” was constantly reinforced with every meeting, merit badge and camping trip. My scout leader’s goal was to make sure that we planned accordingly and never went on an outdoor adventure without the proper gear that we might need.  Even today I prefer taking my truck on trips over my wife’s more comfortable car, because of my toolbox. Knowing that it is stocked with equipment that I may need provides me a sense of comfort.

Preparation is a crucial component of success in any endeavor. Whether it is preparing to take an exam, teach a Bible study, or participate in a sport, taking the time to prepare can make a major difference in the outcome. Preparation allows us to anticipate challenges and develop strategies to overcome them. 

When Jesus rode the colt into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, fulfilling the Prophecy of Zecheriah 9:9, he was beginning his week of preparation. We can only speculate about the exact thoughts of our Lord as the crowd shouted “Hosanna.” Because we know the rest of the story, we know that for Jesus, the disciples, the Jewish ruling officials, and the Romans, they were all making preparations. 

Jesus was preparing for a last meal with his disciples. The Jewish people were preparing for Passover. Judas was preparing to betray Jesus. The Sanhedrin was preparing for a false trial and the Roman soldiers for an execution. I’m sure there were many of things on our Lord’s mind that Sunday, but it marked the beginning of a week of preparation for him and all those in Jerusalem.

This year, as we move toward Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, how are you preparing?  What things are you doing to connect with Jesus in a more profound and meaningful way this Easter?  Some Christian traditions promote seasons and events on the church calendar to assist people in preparing.  While those reminders can be helpful, even well-intentioned traditions can become routine and lose their impact.   

If you have been living at the frantic pace of modern life and realize that you’ve not made mental, emotional, and spiritual preparation for Easter, let me encourage you to visit or revisit The Steps to Freedom in Christ.  These steps provide us a systematic way to prepare as we obey James 4:7-8, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.”  The Steps are truly a gift to the church. Either corporately or individually, they can help us all prepare our hearts and make way for a more intimate connection with Christ this Easter. Consider setting aside time this weekend to pray through The Steps. Like the first century Jews, we can start Holy week by proclaiming, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (John 12:13).