PALM SUNDAY was the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem saddled on a donkey, a symbol of servanthood. In Jesus' day, to show power and glory, a king or political ruler rode into town on a white horse (to the cheers of the people). Similarly, Jesus is greeted by the people in Jerusalem joyfully waving palm fronds to welcome him into the city. There is "messiah fever" in the air.

Could Jesus be "THE ONE?"

But something else is happening here...something much deeper.

It's Passover week in Jerusalem. Jesus entered Jerusalem through the Sheep Gate. It’s the first day of a Jewish week. The day tens of thousands of lambs were moved from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. Bethlehem was the lamb factory for the Jerusalem temple. Every family needed a lamb to be slaughtered and eaten as part of the week-long Passover sacrificial ritual. On the final day (Friday), these bloody killings ended at 3 p.m. when the Jewish high priest declared in a loud voice: "It is finished!"

DID YOU CATCH IT?

Jesus was born in Bethlehem as the Lamb of God. Bethlehem literally means "house of bread." Jesus also referred to himself as the "Bread of LIFE (John 6:35)." And like the mutton and yeast-less bread Passover meal that Israelites consumed for centuries, Jesus' followers will forever commemorate his sacrifice by consuming his body (bread) and drinking his blood (juice/wine) through the Communion meal (1 Cor 11:23-29).

The message of Palm Sunday is simple. Jesus was the FINAL Lamb. From his own lips, his final words from the cross and before death, Jesus pronounced, "IT IS FINISHED." His work on earth was done. Now His work shifted to Heaven. He was the new High Priest and new King over a NEW AND COMING KINGDOM.

Do you believe it?