Today, in the protestant tradition, we celebrate Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the week leading up to the week Passover occurred somewhere approximately 33AD (forgive my approximating with the calendar, I wasn't actually there...) It was the week before the crucifixion of Jesus as remembered in the Christian calendar. It's called Easter, though where the name came from I'm not sure. There'll be a reason, and it's probably Latin.
In a nutshell, Passover is the celebration and remembrance of the deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery to the Egyptians - their deliverance and the overthrow of their oppressors.
In that week in about 33AD or so, Jesus rode into Jerusalem, when a lot of people had gathered preparing to celebrate a festival which commemorated deliverance from oppression. People were looking for a messiah; someone who would come and overthrow the Roman occupation and deliver the Jewish people from their oppressors. This is one of the significant reasons why the 'triumphal entry' recorded in all four gospels is such a big deal. (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19 NIV) A lot of people would have looked at this popular [and in some circles controversial] Prophetic figure - which Jesus was at the time - who had been doing so many miracles, even raising the dead; as the one who would raise a revolution and take a sword to the mighty Roman Empire, performing their deliverance and overthrowing their oppressors.
What people didn't understand at the time - even the Disciples didn't get it, was that Jesus was on the path to deliver all people and overthrow a completely different kingdom.
They were thinking immediate. God was thinking eternal.
"...Now judgment is upon this world [the sentence is being passed]. Now the ruler of this world (Satan) will be cast out. And I, if and when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw all people to Myself [Gentiles, as well as Jews]." John 12:31-32 (AMP)
Jesus was crucified, died, was buried, descended into hell, rose again on the third day, ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
By this action He overthrew satan and the kingdom of darkness and delivered all of humanity, providing the way to God, if we choose to receive His gift of Life.
I thank Him, Praise Him and Worship Him for His sacrifice and the opportunity He created for me. I receive it. He has changed my life. If you haven't already, will you receive it? Receive Him?
God Bless You Very Much
Anita