Hosanna or Crucify Him - which will it be?

Luke 19:28-44

Palm Sunday.  Hosanna!  Palm branches.  A King riding on a donkey.  Cheering crowds.  Joy and laughter.  Praises to God - children, moms, dads, grandpas, grandmas lining the route with their cloaks.
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But just underneath this jubilation, signs of discord and sadness:

the pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, 'Teacher, rebuke your disciples?' (v. 39)

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it (v. 41)

As 21st-Century Christians, we know what happens after Palm Sunday.  We know about Good Friday.  We know about the sham trial.  The beatings.  The cruel name calling.  The horrific crucifixion.  We know about the Cross.

We also know about Easter.  Yes, it's Friday, but Easter is coming!  We know about the stone rolled away - the body no longer in the tomb.  He is Risen.  He is risen indeed.

Where do you fit in this narrative?  Are you one of the cheering crowd on Sunday that will turn to the mob on Friday, shouting "Crucify him!"  Or are you one of the bewildered disciples, watching as your beloved Rabbi is falsely accused, tried at a show trial, and excruciatingly, painfully executed on a rough wooden cross, his life exchanged so that a murderer could go free?  Did you hear yourself say "I don't know him" when asked if you were one of his followers?

Or are you a pharisee, trusting your own good works for your salvation?  turning your nose down at this 'messiah' who is not educated - heavens, he's only a carpenter - who hangs out with rough-around-the-edges fishermen and -horror of horrors - tax collectors!

Thanks be to God that there is room at the foot of the cross for all of us!  The weak disciple....the roaring, fickle crowd.....the judging pharisees.  All who call on Jesus, who confess their sins and follow him will be welcome in his kingdom.  And that is the Easter Promise.

Lord, on my own, I am weak and full of sin.  Thank you for the gift of eternal life.  As I enter Holy Week, help me each day to come to you with a joyful heart, and to share that joy with others.  Amen.