What a study in contrast. On Palm Sunday 1865, the American Civil War came to an end. One side marched off in humiliating defeat, while the other side celebrated victory. One general appeared in his military finery—polished boots and sword—while the other wore a private’s mud-splattered uniform and went sword-less. Before the week was through, the victorious president would be assassinated on Good Friday. On the original Palm Sunday, the contrasts between Jesus’s mission, the people’s expectations, and the disciples’ confusion were just as stark as the contrast between the appearance of Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. And what Christ calls us to do stands in stark contrast to the calling of our culture.

Matthew 21:1–11; Luke 19:28–36, 39–44

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