April Fools!!!

My bodacious beautiful bride, as many know, is a second grade teacher.  As a result, she is very happy that this year April Fools day does not fall on a weekday.  Otherwise, she would have to deal with the constant, "Your shoes untied...April fools!"  However, this year April Fools day collides with another holiday that is not as well known.  That day is Palm Sunday.  It begins what is known as Holy week.  It is the day Jesus made his 'Triumphant Entry' into Jerusalem.  It is the day that throngs of people lined the streets shouting praise to Jesus.  Lining the road with clothing and palm branches.  However, it is as if they just waited for the punch line...waiting to say APRIL FOOLS!...waiting to say CRUCIFY HIM!!!

All the while though, Christ knew the punchline was coming.  He wasn't going to fall for it.  How fickle we are.  I can't help but wonder...would I have been part of the group telling the horrible joke if I had lived at that time.  I wonder am I guilty of the same joke today...praising Him one day, and rejecting Him the next.  I pray with all my heart that I never am part of such a horrid and crude joke against my LORD.  In the meantime, I want to give you a poem to consider as we approach Palm Sunday.  I hope you reflect on this and that it helps prepare you for Sunday.

Ride on! by Henry Hart Milman

Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

Hark, all the tribes hosanna cry;

Thy humble beast pursues his road

With palms and scattered garments strowed.

Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

In lowly pomp ride on to die;

O Christ, thy triumphs now begin

O'er captive death and conquered sin.

Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

The winged squadrons of the sky

Look down with sad and wondering eyes

To see the approaching sacrifice.

Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh;

The Father on his sapphire throne

Expects his own anointed Son.

Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

In lowly pomp ride on to die;

Bow thy meek head to mortal pain,

Then take, O God, thy power, and reign.