Not My Will // Palm Sunday [Holy Week]

Not My Will
Author: Adam Etris, Programming Director
Day 1: Palm Sunday
Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:1-11
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Have you ever seen the movie Armageddon? There is an asteroid headed to Earth, and a ragtag team of oil riggers led by Bruce Willis as Harry Stamper have to land on it and drill to the center to, hopefully, split it in half to save the world.

There is a moment near the end of the movie where Bruce Willis realizes that he has to stay behind and sacrifice himself to save the world. Spoiler alert…he saved the world. Cue the Aerosmith anthem. I'm sure that he didn't want to do it. He tried to find another way without having to die, but he knew that was the only way to save the world.

I know what you're thinking. Are you comparing Bruce Willis to Jesus? Of course not. Bruce Willis played a character in a make-believe scenario meant for our entertainment. What Jesus did was not make-believe. It was not a story told to amuse us. He made the ultimate sacrifice to save the world, but it was the hardest thing He had to do and something He didn't necessarily want to do. He even asked God if there was another way.

– Luke 22:41-42

After this, God brought an angel to strengthen Him, and Jesus knew that this was what needed to happen. And so, He obeyed His Father. He took on the sins of the world by dying on a cross for every one of us.

Today, we begin Holy Week. It kicks off with a celebration called Palm Sunday. People gathered together to celebrate the arrival of their king. The one they thought would change everything and lead how they wanted. They cheered, "Hosanna." They laid palm leaves on the ground. They were so excited to see Him. It's crazy to think that this same crowd turns on Him just a few days later, but that's another devotional for another day.

You would think that seeing a crowd cheering your name and showing up just for you would make you feel pretty good, but I don't think that was the case for Jesus. I imagine He felt the weight of what was to come. He knew what He was to endure. He knew that the same ones cheering Him on as He rode into Jerusalem would be calling for His crucifixion before He knew it. He knew what had to be done to save each one of them.

It can be easy to think about this week as a celebration, which it is. We are here today because of Jesus. As we journey through these Holy Week devotions, let's not forget what Jesus went through and the price He paid. Each day is a chance for us to focus on His amazing sacrifice. Jesus knew what needed to be done and did it for us.