By Funmi Komolafe

Today is a special day in the Christian calendar. It is Palm Sunday.    The event   signifies the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

As a Christian you are familiar with the story of how our Lord Jesus rode into Jerusalem.  

How he was welcomed to the city by people who waved palm leaves, laid their clothes on the road, and shouted Hosanna to welcome Jesus into the city of Jerusalem.

That singular event was the beginning of what we now call   “The Passion week”

Our focus is Palm Sunday, especially as it relates to our lives. It was an acknowledgement of the people that Christ isn’t just of the flesh but also of the Spirit.

According to the Holy Bible, Jesus has been around performing miracles that changed the lives of many for good.

Jesus gave hope to the hopeless, he fed the hungry, and he healed the sick and raised the dead among others.  While he did this, some people still remained unhappy.

The case of the man with the withered hand readily comes to mind.

Matthew 12 vs. 10 ( KJV) tells the story: “ And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered.  And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days? that  they might accuse him”.

Brethren, you may find yourself in a situation  where you are doing your best but for some people around you are not impressed.

I mean, this could be an office condition, where you are putting in your best but someone  just writes off your best as not good enough.

Or is yours a situation where you have been married for years without biological children yet no one appreciates that you have been trying your best without success. Many would rather mock you.

Some may even be bold enough to tell your husband  that he could be wasting his time in the marriage.

For others,  it could be a  case of loneliness.  Perhaps, all your siblings are married and you are the only one yet unmarried and you are the eldest.

These  conditions  could make anyone worry but when you allow Jesus into your life, things are bound to change.

To complete the story of the man with the withered hand, let’s see how Jesus responded and the action he took.

Matthew 12 vs. 11-13 ( KJV) is our authority. It states: “And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

How much then is man better than a sheep? Whereof it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.

Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand.  And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole like as the other”.

Jesus came into Jerusalem and it was all joy.

Just the same way, Jesus triumphed over Satan after his 40 days of fasting, you too can triumph over whatever challenge you are passing through.

Let’s draw a few lessons from  the story of the donkey that Jesus rode into Jerusalem.

Luke 19 vs.29- 31: “ And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount  of Olives,  he sent two of his disciples,

Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which  at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.

And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him”.

When we have challenges, we are like the donkey.   Tied down, held down by challenges physical and spiritual that do not allow us to fulfill destiny but we have an over comer in Christ.

Jesus said to the men he sent “ Loose him”.  That was a directive.     In other words, set him free .

The donkey’s freedom was the first to be done before it could fulfill the purpose for which it was created.

 In  the same way, many of us have to be set free and only the power of God can set us free from  whatever challenge we are passing through.

It is said that the  donkey symbolizes peace. Jesus riding on the donkey confirmed  to the world that he is indeed the Prince of Peace.

 No wonder the people came out to hail him and to welcome him.

Are you prepared to let the Prince of Peace into your  life?  Once you make up your mind to have a relationship with the Prince of Peace, you will certainly enjoy peace like a river. What troubles others will no longer trouble you.  You will begin to see challenges as transient.

Once the Prince of Peace comes into your life, you become so confident that  your mockers would begin to wonder , what has come over you.

Romans 10 vs. 9 -11: “ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart  that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be  saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed”.

Brethren, you need to open up to allow the Prince of Peace  enter into your heart.

Perhaps you are weighed down by a particular challenge and it has been difficult for you to praise God. Brethren, it simply means your heart has  not fully received the LORD.

When you truly receive him, fear will no longer dominate your life.  Let Peace replace fear in you. Do you know that you can praise the Lord while praying?  It doesn’t have to be through singing.

Call the Lord by his names and he will step into  your situation.

John 11 vs. 25&26: “ Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth  in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live;

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.  Believeth thou this?

The same question is posed to a reader, today, “ Do you believe?”.

If  your answer is yes, then you need not fear.   

Jesus overcame all temptations both that of the spirit and of man. Actually, more came from men that questioned his authority to save lives, to forgive sins etc.

In other words, they didn’t want  those that were bound to be loose but you would be  set free if you remain connected to Jesus.

No challenge, I repeat, no challenge is beyond God.  If a lady can get married at over 60 years for the first time  and a woman of 60 plus, gave birth to a baby, are you still in doubt that  no challenge is beyond God? God himself said in Jeremiah 32 vs. 27: “ Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh:  is there anything too hard for me.?

Let me end this edition with a testimony.

Last week,  a lady who had been married since 2010 gave birth to a baby boy in the United States of America.

The couple had tried the best of medical treatment without success.

At a point God gave them victory over every obstacle that had prevented them from having children.

 Today, her life has changed from that of a sorrowful woman  to  a  joyful mother.

Allow the Prince of  Peace to come into your life but be prepared to  obey the word of God completely.

You are the next to testify in Jesus name.

Shalom!