Yesterday Christians celebrated Palm Sunday. This is beginning of our annual Holy Week. We spend this week contemplating the Life of Christ the week he entered Jerusalem, was betrayed, crucified, laid in a tomb, and resurrected.

Palm Sunday commemorates the day Jesus entered Jerusalem, riding on the foal of a donkey to the praises of the people–waving branches cut from the trees, shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” Even the children are involved in the celebration. Many churches (mine included) have a tradition where children will be given palm branches and allowed to walk in parade around our auditorium. They wave as the congregation sings. Tremendous joy.

And yet, if you read the story, you’ll find that the crowd’s cries turn from “Hosanna!” to “Crucify him!” in the space of a few short days (he was killed on Friday).

Palm Sunday is a yearly reminder of human fickleness. We can turn so fast–we change our minds–we switch teams–we abandon those we swore we’d love and protect. Hence our need for a Savior–one who is never fickle, but faithful. One who promises to never leave us or forsake us. And when we are joined to Him, we find that He gives us power to keep our promises–even if it means suffering.