Until COVID messed it up, there used to be a pre-final Grand Parade of the 2 Teams playing in the AFL grand final. In 2021 it was meant to be the Bulldogs and Demons. (Sorry, no Power or Crows) For one of the teams it was a chance to get just a taste of what victory might feel like – which they finally missed out on. For the other team it was a prelude to the tickertape parade that followed their win in the Grand Final.
Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, just before his arrest and crucifixion, was like that penultimate victory parade. Only unlike the bulldogs and demons, this was always a victory parade – even though he had to go through what looked like defeat – before the final victory. He always had been the one who came to all people in the name of the Lord – the saving presence of God in the world.
This Palm Sunday parade was another of the ways that God paraded his Son as the winner over sin and it’s powers. We can follow the parade once more and call on the name of Lord. Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! And know this, that we are saved by Him!
His victory parade to the cross, cross and resurrection announces a resounding victory – a victory that gives us life! We have every reason to celebrate.