Palm Sunday

But not everyone who lined the streets of Jerusalem that long ago day was there for the same reason. They watched the entrance of the man on a humble donkey and wondered.... Oh, they waved the palm fronds and shouted, of course. But they had so many different reasons for being there. Some were political activists; they'd heard that Jesus had supernatural power,  and they wanted him to use it to free Israel from the rule of the hated Romans.  Others had loved ones who were sick or dying. They'd heard about the miraculous cures and you can be certain that the raising of Lazarus wasn't a secret. They waved their branches and hoped for physical healing. Some were onlookers, caught up in the excitement or just looking for something interesting to do. Others were genuine followers who truly wished Jesus would establish himself as an earthly king. 

Jesus was the only one in the parade who knew why he ws going to Jerusalem--to die. He alone had a mission. Everyone else just had an agenda....

adapted from an article by Bill Hybels