棕枝主日像是个错位的圣日。弥赛亚骑着驴驹进入耶路撒冷，像位和平之君，不像个征服者。喧闹的人群和异常兴奋的门徒们在纯粹的无知中向耶稣欢呼着，挥舞着树枝， (太 21:8-9)大喊着“和散那！” (意思是“拯救我们”，参诗 118:25-26)。
然而我们知道，正如耶稣所知道，祂很快就会面临背叛、试炼、拷问，和最残酷的死刑。.祂骑驴进入耶路撒冷，为的是要迈向十架，在那里祂将攻克阴间的门 (太 16:18)。棕枝主日不是接下来圣周的豪华进场，而是一个讽刺的开端，因为它将以受难日耶稣的死亡和埋葬作收场。
我很难想像耶稣会享受这个庆祝，相反，祂一定心碎了，因为祂即将与那恶者决一死战。祂像一位必须面对仇敌的战士，准备好了要为我们牺牲祂的生命。我们是否意识到祂之所以面对这一切——是因为我们呢？
在接下来的一周，耶稣将会听到愤怒的嘲笑——不再是这些幼稚的欢呼。但是，这一天耶稣接受了他们的赞美；否则“这些石头必要呼叫起来，”祂说。耶稣的意思，是指路旁的石头还是建造圣殿的石头呢？ (参哈巴谷书 2:11)无论是哪个，那些石头都会呼叫：“挥舞你的树枝！大喊 ‘和散那！’ 享受棕枝主日——但要知道祂为什么来！”
主啊，今天我们唱“恭敬赞美，神圣耶稣”，愿祢在这最神圣的一周，接受我的赞美，纵然很快祢就会听到世人愤怒的声音喊叫说：“钉他十字架！”。奉耶稣的名，阿们。
路加福音 19:35-40
35他们牵到耶稣那里，把自己的衣服搭在上面，扶着耶稣骑上。"'Teacher, rebuke your disciples!'... 'If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.'" — Luke 19:39-40
Palm Sunday seems a misplaced holy day. The Messiah rides into Jerusalem on a donkey's colt like a prince of peace, not a conqueror. Raucous crowds and jubilant disciples cheer Jesus on in sheer ignorance, waving branches (Matthew 21:8-9) and shouting "Hosanna!" (meaning "Save us!" see Psalm 118:25-26).
Yet we know, as Jesus does, that he will soon face betrayal, trial, torture, and the cruelest death. He rides through Jerusalem to the cross, where he will assault the gates of hell (Matthew 16:18). Palm Sunday isn't the grand opening but the ironic beginning of Holy Week, which closes with Jesus' death and burial on Friday.
I can't imagine Jesus enjoying the celebration. His heart must be broken as he engages the deadly battle with evil. Like a soldier who must face the enemy, Jesus is prepared to give his life for us. Do we realize why he faced all this—for us?
Later that week Jesus would hear angry jeers—not these naïve cheers. But on this day he accepts the praise; otherwise "the stones will cry out," he says. Does Jesus mean stones along the road or the stones that made up the temple? (See Habakkuk 2:11.) Whichever they were, the stones could cry, "Wave your branches! Cry 'Hosanna!' Enjoy Palm Sunday—but know why he comes!"
Today we bring "humble praises, Holy Jesus," but soon you'll hear angry voices shouting "Crucify him!" Today, we pray, accept our praise at the beginning of this most holy week. In your name, Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
