PALM SUNDAY AND THE ROAD TO CALVARY

Palm Sunday is more than the beginning of Holy Week; it’s the beginning of the road to Calvary.

Palm Sunday began with adoration, “Blessings on the One who comes in the Name of the LORD! Praise God in highest Heaven!” MATTHEW 21:9.

However, it ultimately reveals the world’s inability to truly accept Christ as Savior.

Jesus was not what they’d expected. He was gentle and humble. His ministry wasn’t fulfilled in might; it was fulfilled in sacrifice.

He entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. And though the crowds greeted Him with praise and adoration, they also greeted Him with doubt.

Was this humble man truly the Messiah they’d been promised? Where were the armies, the riches, and might they’d anticipated? 

Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to Him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said, JOHN 18:4-5.

I Am He

And with those three simple words, Jesus spoke volumes. He spoke of love and acceptance. He spoke of willingness and obedience.

Though Jesus knew what lay ahead of Him, He willingly took the cup. Despite the persecution and suffering He’d endure, the betrayal and condemnation that would lead Him to Calvary, He became sin that we might be forgiven.

Though fully divine, He was also fully human. He was born to be sacrificed. To endure pain and experience death in human flesh for us.

The Sinless Son of God

At the moment of His birth, Jesus was marked for death. Not just any death, but death on a cross. 

In those days, crucifixion was reserved for the lowest of criminals. It was an excruciating, shameful way to die. Christ, the beloved Son of God, endured the cross for us.

And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross, PHILIPPIANS 2:8.

His Sacrifice was Voluntary

Christ willingly submitted to God’s plan for our salvation. While the world looked on, the sinless Son of God endured the burden of all sin that we might live. 

His death fulfilled the prophecy. His resurrection ensured salvation. 

At the moment of His death, the veil was torn, and the world finally knew, “Truly, this man was the Son of God,” MARK 15:39.

Palm Sunday Reflection

Today, may we reflect on the cross. The symbol of Christ’s sacrifice, but also of His great love for us. May we humbly acknowledge the precious gift of salvation Christ died to secure for us. May we willingly surrender, as Christ did, humbling ourselves before the cross that we may be worthy of this gift. Above all, may we fully accept Christ as the promised Messiah and Savior of the world. For by His stripes we are saved. Amen. 

Palm Sunday and the Road to Calvary

He entered the holy city

to praise and adoration.

The Son of God had come,

The world received SALVATION.

Yet, Jesus knew the outcome:

Praise turned to condemnation.

Hands that offered blessings

would soon rise up to blame Him.

Betrayed, He faced the ones

who chose to scorn and mock Him.

Crowned with thorns, He bore

the ridicule heaped on Him.

The cup He prayed be taken,

He accepted willingly.

Trusting in His Father,

all the way to Calvary.

Whereupon a common cross,

the miracle revealed,

that though we were unworthy,

God FORGAVE us still.

And with His final breath,

He offered us REDEMPTION.

His sacrifice revealed God’s LOVE

for the whole of His CREATION.

JN Fenwick (©2026) 

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JN Fenwick | mothjournal14 | ©2026 | All rights reserved. | I DO NOT WALK THIS RECOVERY JOURNEY ALONE.

I’m JN Fenwick

Wife, mom, but more importantly, a recovering alcoholic with a grateful heart. For years, I struggled, not just with alcohol, but with an eating disorder and the burdens of guilt and shame. On March 22, 2018, I surrendered my life to Christ. I was 51. God did not forsake me. He welcomed me, as undeserving as I am. He did not see my brokenness. Instead, He saw my potential. My Recovery Journey is one of Faith. From the ashes of my failures, God built a fire in me. A fire that guides each step I take. My journey is yours. My healing can be yours, too. God is a mighty warrior. You can take comfort in the promise that the Lord will fight for you and grant you peace.