As we gather for worship on this Palm Sunday, we will remember the huge crowd that gathered in the streets around Jesus waving palm branches, shouting “Hosanna, Hosanna.” Those same shouts of “Hosanna” turned to “Crucify Him” just a few days later, showing the fickleness of the crowd. If we are not careful, some of us may be the same way. We may rejoice on Sunday with shouts of praise, but careless living may cause our praises to be short-lived, especially if our actions do not live up to our words. In Matthew 21:8-9, we find these words:

“Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of Him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around Him were shouting: ‘Praise God, for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Praise God in the highest heaven!’”

The events of Palm Sunday and the subsequent days leading up to the crucifixion reveal the blindness and fickleness of human loyalties. If this Holy Week teaches us anything, it is that Jesus was loyal to the end. He went all the way to Calvary on our behalf. No one took His life; He laid it down fully and freely. Although we may be fickle at times, praise God that His love for us never changes!