What a difference
by PASTOR MICHAEL CISLER
North Kent Bible Church
There is a song made popular in the late 1950s entitled “What a Difference a Day Makes.” I have heard this song used in movies and commercials to support the point of how quickly life can change. Certainly we have experienced this truth in our own lives as well.
As we look forward to what is typically known as Holy Week next week, we certainly see the truth of this concept of change in a short period of time. On one day Jesus dies on the cross. Only a few days later he is raised to life again. Today I would like us to consider, however, Jesus’ triumphal entry and the mood of the crowd compared to their mood only a few days later.
In Matthew 21:1-11 (as well as Mark 11, Luke 19, and John 12), we find the account of Jesus entering Jerusalem only a few days before he is arrested, tried, crucified and eventually raised from the dead. When Jesus enters Jerusalem on this day, there are large crowds spreading their cloaks and palm branches on the road in front of him. This spreading of the palm branches and waving them in the air was done in the presence of someone thought worthy of honor.
Matthew 21:9 says, “The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest!’” The crowds are proclaiming by their actions and words that this Jesus was very special. It seems by their words, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” that they even understood him as Messiah, the anointed one of God. Upon his arrival into the city it says “the whole city was stirred.” This triumphal entry into Jerusalem by Jesus was celebrated and he was honored by the crowds that accompanied him. It is hard to believe then, that just a few days later, the crowd in Jerusalem was shouting, “Crucify him!” What a difference a few days make.
I would encourage you to be involved in worship this upcoming week. Throughout the week, many local churches will be remembering and celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus and their significance for us today. By our faith in him we can come to realize fully what a difference a day makes for us as well.
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