Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Matthew 21:8-11

Desire rises up, it leads me to shout.

But, what is my desire, really?

Deep within, it is pure.

On the surface, jaded and biased

Toward less than Him.

Yet He meets me in my misunderstanding

And receives me in my imperfection,

Connecting with those unknown depths

And yet waiting with me …

For me to emerge.

Reflect: Do your imperfections ever keep you from pursuing Jesus? Do you ever cling to your understanding rather than letting Him transform you? Take a few minutes and ask the Lord to search your heart. The gift of Palm Sunday is that He receives us right where we are and loves us so much that He’ll keep pursuing truly redemptive purposes in our lives no matter the cost!

Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for receiving my worship and praise … even when my understanding is not full and my motives less than pure. Thank you for loving me and dying for me while I’m still imperfect and self-centered. Thank you for waiting with me as I mature and grow into all you have planned for me. Thank you for being a Savior who meets me where I am but One who loves me so much that You’ll always lead me past myself and into the fullness of all You are. Amen.