
Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11 CSB
When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples, telling them, “Go into the village ahead of you. At once you will find a donkey tied there with her foal. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them at once.”
This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled:
Tell Daughter Zion,
“See, your King is coming to you,
gentle, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
The disciples went and did just as Jesus directed them. They brought the donkey and its foal; then they laid their clothes on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their clothes on the road; others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. Then the crowds who went ahead of him and those who followed shouted:
Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!
When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in an uproar, saying, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Devotion: Jesus gives us what we need.
Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, is the start of the journey to the cross. As Jesus approached Jerusalem, He sent two disciples ahead for preparation. A donkey was selected for His ride into town (fulfilling Zechariah 9:9).
The Savior entered the city with shouts of joy from the people gathered. Cloaks and palm branches covered the road as the anticipated King arrived. Everyone seemed to be happy on Palm Sunday.
Sadly, the tone would soon change as their hero would be arrested, tried, and crucified. In this arrival, the crowds wanted a Messiah who would give political and national rescue. Jesus had a better mission. His mission was to save sinful man and woman—by the gift of His own blood.
In our lives, we tend to sway back and forth from good days and bad days. If you are like me, you may wake up one morning with expectations on how the day should go.
I wonder what went through the minds of these folks gathered when they witnessed their hero fall later in the week? We can learn much from this story.
Jesus came to give them what they needed and not what they wanted. They wanted someone to rise up and give them power. Jesus gave up His power so that they could rise up over sin and death.
He exchanged His perfect life for their broken lives. He took the punishment of sin off of their souls and gave them eternal salvation. They needed that gift more than anything else in the world. So do we.
Today, cherish the Savior in what He gave you.
You NEED Him above anything or anyone that may disappoint you today. You NEED Him for an unbreakable hope and future. You NEED Him for endless joy and mercy. You NEED Him for days in which you can’t celebrate.
He is eternally worthy to be celebrated! Spend some time in prayer today, thanking Him for coming to save you.

Dave Snyder
Dave is the pastor at First Baptist Church of Pensacola. He holds an M.Div. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a D.Min. from Southeastern Seminary. Dave has served churches in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.