“They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Blessed is the King of Israel!’” - John 12:13
Born in suffering yet wrapped in a smile. That’s the story of every child who’s ever drawn breath on this earth. Bringing a baby into the world is painful—but oh, the joy that follows. The tears. The laughter. The smile that says, “It was worth it.”
Jesus understood this rhythm of pain and joy. Just before entering the deepest suffering of his life, what did he do? He planned a party. A city-wide, nation-shaking celebration—filled with immigrants, families, and strangers all shouting and smiling because Jesus was with them.
Do you have time in your life for a righteous blast of celebration? Remember the joy when the Seahawks won the Super Bowl? A million people lined the streets. Now picture the celebration we’ll have when the Mariners finally win the World Series! But even those pale in comparison to the Palm Sunday celebration. Because all of heaven was rejoicing, too.
If Disney can throw a good fireworks show, just imagine what the God who invented the Big Bang and supernovas can do when He celebrates.
And on earth? Peasants danced. Roman soldiers smiled. Gladiators stood in awe. Children leapt. Tax collectors climbed trees to see. Bakers handed out free samples. Elders’ eyes twinkled. Water fights broke out. All because Jesus was there—with them, right now.
Maybe that’s the lesson we need in these hard times: Celebrate anyway. Rejoice, not because all is easy, but because Jesus is with us: born!
This Sunday, Jesus will be with us again. The donkey will be a delightful surprise. Kids will wave palm branches. The Spirit will lift our hearts. And I’ll be preaching: Born in Suffering—But Wrapped in a Smile. Because the smile of God—that tender, powerful, poetic smile—is still shining on you today.
Please join us, in person or online.
Your friend for the rest of my life,
Pastor Tim White