Laying Down Our Palms: Reflecting on False Expectations

As we approach the Easter season, it's a fitting time to reflect on the profound events surrounding Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. This moment in history carries deep spiritual significance that resonates with our own faith journeys today.

Picture the scene: crowds lining the streets, waving palm branches and shouting "Hosanna!" as Jesus rides into the city on a humble donkey. It's a joyous celebration, but one tinged with misunderstanding. The people expected a conquering king who would overthrow Roman oppression. Instead, Jesus came as the Prince of Peace, ready to conquer hearts rather than empires.

This disconnect between expectations and reality is at the core of our own spiritual struggles. How often do we approach God with our own agenda, hoping He'll fulfill our vision of how things should be? We wave our metaphorical palm branches, cheering for the version of God we've created in our minds – one who aligns perfectly with our desires and plans.

But true faith requires us to lay down those palms – to surrender our false expectations and allow God to reveal Himself as He truly is, not as we wish Him to be.

The Bible tells us that even as the crowds cheered, Jesus wept over Jerusalem. He knew that the very people praising Him would soon be calling for His crucifixion. Their expectations blinded them to the true nature of His mission. Like them, we can miss God's work in our lives when we cling too tightly to our own ideas of how He should act.

Consider the disciples' reaction when Jesus spoke plainly about His coming death and resurrection. Peter, full of misguided zeal, actually rebuked Jesus for suggesting such a thing! It wasn't part of Peter's expectation for the Messiah. Jesus' sharp response – "Get behind me, Satan!" – shows how seriously He viewed this distortion of His purpose.

We must ask ourselves: are we guilty of the same error? Do we try to shape God to fit our preferences, picking and choosing the aspects of faith that are comfortable while ignoring the challenging parts? It's a tempting path, but one that leads us away from true relationship with our Creator.

The invitation of Palm Sunday is to "seek first the kingdom of God" – to prioritize God's will over our own understanding. This requires childlike trust, even when circumstances don't align with our expectations. We're called to say, like Job, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him."

This level of surrender isn't easy. It means relinquishing control and admitting that our perspective is limited. Yet it's in this place of humility that we experience the transformative power of God's love and grace.

Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey – a symbol of peace rather than conquest. This seemingly small detail carries immense meaning. The hardest "key to turn," the sermon suggests, is our own stubborn heart. We are the donkey that Christ seeks to guide. Will we allow Him to lead us, even when the path differs from our expectations?

The events following Palm Sunday offer a sobering reminder of the danger of misplaced expectations. Jesus prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem, which came to pass in 70 AD. The very people who rejected Him as Messiah faced devastating consequences. While this historical event is difficult to reconcile, it underscores the importance of recognizing "the time of God's coming to you" – of being open to God's work even when it doesn't match our preconceptions.

So how do we practically lay down our "palms" – our false expectations of God and others? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Examine your heart: What areas of your life are you trying to control rather than surrender to God?
   
   
2. Study scripture holistically: Resist the temptation to treat the Bible like a "buffet," choosing only the parts that align with your preferences.
   
   
3. Pray for openness: Ask God to reveal Himself as He truly is, not as you imagine Him to be.
   
   
4. Practice trust: When faced with uncertainty or disappointment, choose to trust God's goodness and wisdom.
   
   
5. Seek community: Surround yourself with fellow believers who can offer accountability and different perspectives.
   
   

Remember, God's primary goal isn't to make us comfortable or to fulfill our every desire. His aim is to transform us from the inside out, aligning our hearts with His will. This process often involves challenging our assumptions and expectations.

The image of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem is a powerful reminder of God's heart. Even as we misunderstand Him, He longs for us to recognize His presence and purpose in our lives. His tears reflect both sorrow over our stubbornness and deep love for His creation.

As we journey through this Easter season, let's challenge ourselves to approach God with open hands and hearts. Instead of waving palms in celebration of our own ideas, may we lay them down in humble surrender. It's in this posture that we truly encounter the living God – not as we imagine Him to be, but as He truly is.

The parade of Palm Sunday leads inevitably to the cross of Good Friday and the empty tomb of Easter morning. These events shatter our expectations in the most beautiful way, revealing a love far greater than we could have imagined. May we have the courage to let go of our palm branches, our preconceptions, and our need for control. In doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's kingdom breaking into our lives.

As we reflect on these truths, let's pray for the Holy Spirit to "smear" us with His presence, to "dunk" us deeply in His love and truth. May we, like that humble donkey, allow Jesus to guide us – even when the path is unexpected. For it's in surrendering our false expectations that we truly find the peace, purpose, and abundant life He promises.