Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! (Psalm 118:25 ESV)

Many disbelieved the day would ever come. The day of the long-anticipated salvation from Lord arrived. This marvelous work that the Lord is doing launches the day of salvation (Psalm 118:23-24). This phrase finds its use only regarding IsraelвЂ™s savior. Matthew (Matthew 21:42) and Luke (Acts 4:11) quote the Psalm 118 passage. PeterвЂ™s words also reference Isaiah 28:16 (also quoted by Paul in Romans 9:33 and Ephesians 2:20) and Isaiah 8:14 (again found in Romans 9:33). Peter makes sure that we understand that this verse is speaking about Jesus (1 Peter 2:6-8 NIV). The next verse sheds new light: The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone (Psalm 118:22 NIV). While affirming that the loving kindness of the Lord endures forever, a vital truth is declared, вЂњI will give thanks, for you answered me you have become my salvationвЂќ (Psalm 118:21 NIV). Listen to the words of Psalm 118:1-29 NIV. The phrase is found in the Hebrew scripture. This isnвЂ™t just a cheer devised by the disciples. The Pharisees immediately tried to get Jesus to silence the followers. The shouts of the people seemed simple: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! (Luke 19:38) Luke tells us that the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully praising God in extremely loud voices for all of the miracles they had seen (Luke 19:37 NIV). Some religious leaders were concerned that JesusвЂ™ followers were making so much noise that the Romans might become fearful of a riot or revolt and step in with force (Luke 19:39). Pharisees and temple soldiers, along with a small Roman presence, lined the way to Jerusalem assuring peace among the people. The people came to Jerusalem expecting the miraculous intervention from God. It was a renewed and invigorated time of Messianic hope and expected deliverance. Like the Sabbath, the celebration of the Passover stirred a time to remember GodвЂ™s activities and His promises. The people were not sure whether Jesus would be attending the celebration (John 11:56-57). The paths leading up to Jerusalem were filled with excited Hebrews. The Passover was at hand and every faithful Jewish male was required to be at the Temple to celebrate the event (Deuteronomy 16:16 NIV). DonвЂ™t picture they were outside the city gates waiting on Jesus to finally arrive. The Gospel writers describe a crowd gathered outside of Jerusalem filled with excitement.

The majority of those praising Jesus on Sunday were not present in the crowd later in the week. The crowd that later would yell for JesusвЂ™ execution was driven by Jewish leaders and people the leaders had paid off. On Palm Sunday, the crowd was driven by faithful Jewish followers praying for redemption from the enslavement of Rome and sincere disciples of the rabbi from Galilee.

Was the crowd so fickle that they are praising the name of Jesus on Sunday and yelling, вЂњCrucify him!вЂќ days later? While some people may have joined into the exuberance of the crowds, the best explanation sees two separate groups of people dictating the direction of the sentiment. The contrasting events of Holy Week perplex many Bible readers.

Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! (Psalm 118:25 ESV).The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone (Psalm 118:22 NIV).Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! (Luke 19:38).Early in the eighth century, an early morning procession replaced the evening one, and the Roman Catholic Church had institutionalized the celebration of Palm Sunday. By the sixth and seventh centuries palm leaves were added to the celebration. It is the Sunday that begins Holy Week, remembering JesusвЂ™ entry into the city as prophet, priest and king. The вЂњTriumphal EntryвЂќ is one of a handful of incidents in the life of Christ that is recorded by all four gospel writers. As the end of the day approached, the people would return home declaring, вЂњBlessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!вЂќ Early in Jerusalem people would travel through the holy places in the city as they read Scriptures and sang songs. Johnathan Edwards Observances included hymns, prayers and Bible readings. To pretend to describe the excellence, the greatness or the duration of the happiness of heaven by the most artful composition of words would be but to darken and cloud it to talk of raptures and ecstasies, joy and singing, is but to set forth very low.

Raise a hallelujah