Two Days In One?

During a conversation I had with someone this past week, they bemoaned the fact that “April Fool’s Day” and “Palm Sunday” were falling on the same day. Granted these two are marked on the calendar and the focuses on both are far from being similar, the truth is that both are days placed on the calendar with their observances based upon human origin. Though “Palm Sunday” is focused on the remembrance of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem prior to His arrest and crucifixion, the day itself and many practices associated with it have been set in place by the authority of men rather than God.

When did these two days begin to be observed? Not during the days of Christ or the Apostles. April Fool’s Day is thought to have originated during the 1500’s with a focus toward those who did not follow the change to the Gregorian calendar and pranks such as sending gifts to celebrate the beginning of the New Year on April first (instead of January first) was the fun some had at the expense of others. However there are various other reasons the encyclopedia provides for the observance of this day in various countries during that same century. The customs associated with Palm Sunday are generally traced back to the fourth century AD.

It is foolishness to not accept that which is the crux of the Gospel message: Christ’s death, burial and resurrection which Paul referred to as being of first importance. ( 1 Corinthians 15:3-4) Every Sunday as we partake of the Lord’s Supper (the memorial Jesus Himself instituted as the means for remembering Him) we are proclaiming the SIGNIFICANCE of His death and are to do so until He comes again. ( 1 Corinthians 11:26) The SIGNIFICANCE we might draw from the account in the Gospels of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is that He is most worthy of the praise offered to Him.

In John’s account we read…
“(12) The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. (13) So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘HOSANNA! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, EVEN THE KING OF ISRAEL!’ (14) And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, (15) ‘Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!’ (16) His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.” ( John 12:12-16 ESV)

As Jesus was entering Jerusalem on this occasion He was being received as we also ought to receive Him. We are blessed in believing in the One Who came in the Name of the Lord to redeem us by His blood given on the cross. Jesus was also fulfilling prophecy ( Zechariah 9:9) which confirmed Him to be the One in Whom we are to believe. Does our life help others see how SIGNIFICANT Jesus is to us?

The Scriptures address the tragedy of foolishness (i.e. Psalm 49:10; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 3:35; Romans 1:21-23) and there is no greater folly than to mock God ( Psalm 14:1) and not accept His Son. ( 1 Corinthians 1:20-24; 1 John 5:12) Believing in God and the Son Whom He sent, we ought to uphold the worthiness of Jesus to receive our DAILY PRAISE. Every day in Him is a day to wisely live for His glory! May it continually be so!

Have a great day PRAISING GOD FOR THE ONE WHO CAME IN HIS NAME!
Carl

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