Journey Through Holy WeekSample

A Victorious Arrival

For over 400 years the people of Israel waited and wondered as they endured persecution and painful abuse at the hands of harsh, foreign rulers. For years, they clung to words from prophets like Isaiah and Zechariah that foretold of a time when their enemies would be destroyed.

The Jewish people were waiting for a powerful man who would overthrow the Roman Empire and take his rightful place as king and conqueror. And then one day, a renowned Rabbi comes to the capital city of Jerusalem, riding on a donkey—an animal associated with kingship and peace.

At that moment, people gathered around Him shouting, “blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

For a moment—these people believed that all their suffering and waiting was about to vanish. The oppression and injustice they’d endured were about to get overthrown, and they would finally live out the rest of their lives in peace and freedom.

Jesus—the king on a colt—was about to change everything.

And He did … but not in the way the Jews were expecting. In just a few short days, Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city would turn into a triumphant victory over the strongest enemies of all: death, the devil, and eternal separation from God.

His sacrifice cost Him everything—but it gave us everything.

Jesus set apart the week leading up to His crucifixion to remind His disciples that death wouldn’t win, and His Kingdom would never end. Today, Holy Week is a reminder that God isn’t finished. Even in those moments when our expectations are unmet, and our dreams are unfulfilled—God is not done. Hope is still coming.

So, today, reflect on the eternal freedom you can have because of Jesus’ sacrifice. Spend a few moments thanking Jesus for His victory over sin, death, and the devil. And then, praise Him by proclaiming, “blessed is the King who came in the name of the Lord!”