Let's study the Lord's palms. First and most obvious, there are "nailprints in His hands" (Jn 20:25) from when He stretched out His hands on the cross and died so you and I could be saved from an eternity in hell without Him. There are splinters in His palms from carrying His heavy, wooden cross. Looking closer, we can see our names written in the palms of His hands (Is 49:16). In fact, we can see that He has been holding us in His hands all along (Dt 33:3).
Now let's look at the palms of the people in the crowd. Their palms are holding palm branches and waving them in praise of Jesus as He enters Jerusalem (Jn 12:13). Yet within a few days, on Good Friday, their palms will be clenched into fists as they will shout at Jesus, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" (Lk 23:21)
Now let's study your palm. The world can see what you think about Jesus simply by observing your palms. What testimony are your palms giving to the world today? What testimony will they give on Good Friday?
| PRAYER: | Jesus, may I die to myself, pick up my cross each day, and follow in Your footsteps (Lk 9:23), so that I may spend eternity waving palm branches in praise of You (Rv 7:9). |
| PROMISE: | "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which will be shed for you." –Lk 22:20 |
| PRAISE: | Praise Jesus, Who, meek and humble, entered Jerusalem to sacrifice Himself for the salvation of all people. Alleluia! |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College