Dear Brethren,

Palm Sunday

“And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” Matthew 21:8-9

Today is commonly known as Palm Sunday and on this day we remember what has been called Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem that occurred the week before His crucifixion and resurrection. The Bible reveals that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted Him by waving palm branches and covering His path with palm branches.

This was a very rare occasion to see the Lord Jesus Christ getting public attention with many people welcoming Him with “Hosanna”. The purpose of this public act by Jesus Christ was to tell everyone that He would soon die on the cross and then resurrect from death. This had been shared to His disciples in private but now it was for all to know. The reason is that all mankind would know that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of this world who came with one single purpose to save sinners from condemnation in the Lake of Fire. The love of God is clearly manifested to sinners. There is hope for sinners. Are you saved today?

In the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, we see the voluntary humility and poverty of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus entered not into Jerusalem in a royal chariot accompanied by horses and solders like any kings of this world. Instead the Lord Jesus’ entry was in a borrowed ass and sat upon the garments of His disciples. The Lord Jesus never had any riches on earth. He lived a simple life on earth. But let us not forget that He is the Creator and all things in heaven and earth belong to Him. Indeed the Lord Jesus became poor for our sake. He went willing to suffer on the cross for our sake. He is the Just One dying for all of us who are the unjust. He is the Sinless One dying for all of us who are the sinners.

Passion Week

“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” Matthew 16:21

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Holy Week or Passion Week in which the Lord Jesus Christ would be betrayed and then be brought to the place called Golgotha, a place of skull, to die on the cross for sinful mankind. Praise the Lord that on the 3rd day He would rise from the dead as He has prophesied beforehand. Our victory over death is secured eternally for us by Jesus Christ. There is no need to fear death anymore.

Our Church would commemorate Good Friday with a worship service this Friday 18 Apr at 10am. This holy remembrance and meditation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’s death for us will bring much good to our soul. Come and worship our Saviour who has given His life for us and thank Him for His unconditional divine love. We will be the most ungrateful people in this world if we forget Jesus’ love for us. May this chorus strike a deep cord in us to plead and cry to Jesus that we will never forget His love for us :

Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.

 Elder John Leong