Watch Me!

<p>&ldquo;Watch my fairy princess dance, Grandma!&rdquo; my three-year-old granddaughter gleefully called as she raced around the yard of our cabin, a big grin on her face. Her &ldquo;dancing&rdquo; brought a smile; and her big brother&rsquo;s glum, &ldquo;She&rsquo;s not dancing, just running,&rdquo; didn&rsquo;t staunch her joy at being on vacation with family. </p> <p>The first Palm Sunday was a day of highs and lows. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the crowds enthusiastically shouted, &ldquo;Hosanna . . . blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!&rdquo; (Matthew 21:6&ndash;9). Yet many in the crowd were expecting a Messiah to free them from Rome, not a Savior who would die for their sins that same week.</p> <p>Later that day, despite the anger of the chief priests who questioned Jesus&rsquo;s authority, children in the temple expressed their joy by shouting, &ldquo;Hosanna to the Son of David&rdquo; (vv. 14&ndash;15), perhaps leaping and waving palm branches as they ran around the courtyard. They couldn&rsquo;t help but worship Him, Jesus told the indignant leaders, for &ldquo;from the lips of children and infants [God has] called forth [His] praise&rdquo; (vv. 15&ndash;16). They were in the presence of the Savior!</p> <p>Jesus invites us to also see Him for who He is. When we do, like a child overflowing with joy, we cannot help but revel in His presence.</p>