When Jesus came to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the crowd laid down their coats and palm branches before Him. They then praised Him as He entered and proclaimed Him as Savior (Hosanna means ‘to save’).
If Jesus came riding down your street, what would you lay down before Him? To answer that best we should consider if there is anything standing in the way of our ability to praise.
1. Does pride inhibit your praise?
We may not want to admit it, but perhaps pride stands in the way of our praise. I wonder if sometimes we might overlook pride as it relates to praise by referring to it as temperament. We might say, “Well, by nature, I’m just not a very expressive person. My personality doesn’t lend itself to the kind of praise that took place on that first Palm Sunday. I’m too reserved.”
Praise to Jesus can be offered in many different ways, just as sincerely by someone who raises their hands and dances and by someone who bows their head in reverent respect.
So how might we sometimes confuse personality with pride? When we don’t praise when we have the opportunity, and shrug it off as our personality, or just being reserved, we’re kidding ourselves.
If Jesus came riding down your street if it’s pride standing in the way of praise, would you be willing to lay it down?
2. Does fear inhibit your praise?
Perhaps fear at times stands in our way of praise.
The classic example I think of when someone had opportunity to put in a good word for Jesus, and was just too scared to do it is Peter. After Jesus had been arrested, Peter lurked behind in the shadows to see how things would turn out. Someone said to him, “You were with Nazarene, Jesus, weren’t you?”
What a perfect opportunity for Peter say, “I sure was. Jesus is innocent. He’s the Son of God – yes I follow Him and I proudly call him my Lord.”
But of course, Peter didn’t say that. He said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Within a few moments he denied knowing Jesus two more times. He could have praised, but he was afraid.
Sometimes it is scary to praise Jesus. We don’t know what people might think of us if we really let loose with genuine Palm Sunday praise.
But if Jesus came riding down your street, and if it’s fear that stands in your way of praise, would you be willing to lay it down?
3. Does doubt inhibit your praise?
Or it could be that doubt hinders your ability to praise Jesus. Some who are surrounded by people who are praising Jesus may think, “I know a lot of others are really into this. But
I’m just not sure if I should be applauding. I have some serious questions that need to get answered before I can praise.”
It’s tough to praise when you have doubts. But if you give your doubts to Jesus and learn to trust Him, I’m sure He will help you with those doubts. Often, as we yield to Jesus our doubts go away.
If Jesus came riding down your street, and if it’s doubt that’s standing in the way of your ability praise, would you at least be willing to consider laying it down?
Or it could be possessions, sin, sadness, burdens, or worries that stand in your way of praise. Whatever it is, are you willing to lay it down?
If so, I encourage you to praise Jesus.
At church – sing, clap, raise your hands, close your eyes, bow your head – don’t confuse personality with pride
With a friend or co-worker – instead of saying – “Boy that really worked out well,” say, “God sure took care of that one!”
At home – whisper a love song to Jesus as a time of prayer, or sing it at the top of your lungs in your car.
“Everything that has breath, Praise the Lord!”