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As a child, I was always intrigued at this time of year.

I sat, listening intently as my Sunday school teachers taught on Jesus entering into Jerusalem on a donkey, so triumphantly- as people shouted praises and laid palms down before Him.

The images I created in my mind made it seem much more whimsical.

My donkey became a giant, more horse-like image, and the palms, well, they became more golden. Jesus even had this look of perfection, with flowing hair and a glow about Him. I saw Jesus more on a surface level, as just this great king, not at the heart level, as my Lord and Savior, who humbled Himself and took on death and sin for me.

Honestly, outside of faith and Scripture, this is a strange story. Why palms? Why a donkey?

Frankly, Jesus could have swooped in on a white horse, sweeping through every nation, with trumpets blasting, defeating all evil. Instead, it was a donkey and a peaceful entry. Just a few short days later, many would shout against Him and then put Him to death; mocking, ridiculing and beating Him in the process.

As I grew up and my faith matured, I expanded my knowledge of this story.

I had a deeper understanding of God’s Word on this special time. I began to study the Old Testament promises and prophecies, seeing the New Testament fulfillment of all of them.

There are so many promises that were fulfilled by Jesus, but here are the specific ones I love to meditate on during this significant time of year- Palm Sunday and Easter.

Old Testament Promises:

• Zechariah 9:9, describes how the people will shout and the King will arrive on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.
• Zechariah 12:10, predicts the piercing of the Messiah.
• Isaiah 50:6, describes the beating He would endure.
• The “seventy sevens” prophecy in Daniel 9 predicts the precise date of Jesus death.
• Messiah would be betrayed is in Psalm 41:9.
• He would be falsely accused in Psalm 35:11.
• He would remain silent before His accusers. Isaiah 53:7
• Jesus would be hated without cause. Psalm 35:19 and 69:4
• The Messiah would be forsaken by God. Psalm 22:1
• His hands and feet would be pierced. Psalm 22:16
• He would be buried with the rich. Isaiah 53:9
• He would resurrect from the dead. Psalm 16:10 and 49:15

(I’ve listed just a few, but there are so many more!)

The amazing conclusion is God crafted this story with so much interesting and unique detail, so there would be no question that Jesus was the promised Messiah. In the four gospels, we see a fulfillment to every Old Testament prophecy. He didn’t send in a powerful majestic King, but a lowly carpenter, who was here to serve, love, teach, and heal, all for His greater purposes. A plan so perfect no one could write it better or with more care.

The Old Testament made promises that the New Testament kept.

In my life, I can trust these kept promises. I can lean on them in times of trouble. I can praise and uplift them in times of plenty.

As we step into the this special time we can be assured that Palm Sunday is so much more than just a donkey, people shouting, and palms laid down.

It’s just the beginning!

Rejoice now in the sure knowledge and assurance that God keeps all His promises, every single one.