Most Christians throughout the world will celebrate today as Palm Sunday. It is to celebrate when Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the people laid palm branches down on the road. Imagine if you will the excitement and energy that day. Imagine the children dancing and the people celebrating as they shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!!!” This was probably like the greatest parade of all-time, without the fire trucks, bands, bagpipes, and candy being thrown.

Whenever I read this story of Jesus’ triumphant entry, I’m reminded of all the times when I was in the military and provided security for former President Barack Obama. I remember the motorcade and how people would line the streets just to see if they could catch a glimpse of the most powerful man in the world. Jesus didn’t have the Secret Service. He had a group of people made up of tax collectors, fisherman, and what some would consider social outcasts. He didn’t land in Air Force One or have an armored limousine. No, He rode into the city on a donkey.

Not a chariot.

Not a horse.

A donkey.

This was a big deal for the Jewish people of Israel. They had watched firsthand as Jesus performed miracles. They had listened to Him teach. They had watched Him stand up to the religious leaders. They believed that He was the Messiah and the King they had long been waiting for. They were fully expecting Him to ride in and take His seat on the throne as the King of Israel. They were expecting Him to lead a rebellion and crush the Roman oppression. They had been waiting for this Messiah for hundreds of years, and now here He was making His grand entry into the city. It was about to get REAL!

More to come this week as we countdown to the greatest humanitarian mission ever carried out!