Jesus’s Sacrifice: From Palm Sunday to Good Friday

Last Sunday was Palm Sunday. The children in our village couldn’t contain their excitement, eager for the service to begin so they could recite their memorised verses and play their rehearsed parts. With palm fronds in hand, they shouted ‘Osana!’ (Hosana!) Osana, Ki Cake Sara! (Hosana to the Highest!) Marking Jesus’ Triumphal Entry as King.

A kingly procession like no other. Instead of a stallion, a donkey’s colt. Instead of armed guards, children waving palm fronds. Instead of a red carpet, coats, and tunics for the colt carrying Jesus to walk on. Jesus handpicked the colt; He knew precisely where it would be tied, by what house, in which street, and who it belonged to. This reassures me that our Lord knows us even more intimately than any colt or donkey.

Unlike the people there, Jesus knew what was expected of Him and where He was going. Like we do, the people were focused more on their circumstances and wanted a quick rescue, looking to Jesus as their earthly king who would soon overthrow the Roman government. Like us, they were fickle, first mocking Jesus and His teachings, then declaring Him king, and a few days later, calling for His death.

His death. Jesus understood that He had to die. It was the reason He came to earth, to be born, live, minister, proclaim God’s truth to mankind, and die. His death wasn’t the death of a man defeated or a criminal executed. It was God giving His Son to die, as a sacrifice to atone for our sins, and in His death, and subsequent burial, our sins and their source are killed and vanquished forever, if we believe in Him.

And that is the point. If we believe in Him, we receive and confess Him as our Lord and Saviour. It would be pointless to know about His sacrifice merely as a Bible story of Good Friday, something that happened a long time ago, and not see it for the truth it is – God personified, His love evidenced by Jesus’ birth, life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension. Jesus’ death on the cross was God building a bridge between Heaven and Earth, laying the path, the way, for us to return to Him, through Jesus Christ, who declares Himself as the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Jesus Christ affirms He is the only way to God, the Father. Remember, His sacrifice was for the whole world – for those alive then and us now. Jesus’ sacrifice was not only about His death on the cross at Calvary; it is also about His Resurrection, marking His triumph over death, hell and the grave. And we are triumphant through Him. He has overcome the world.     

Credit: The collage was designed in Canva