Palm Sunday seems a misplaced holy day. The Messiah rides into Jerusalem on a donkey's colt like a prince of peace, not a conqueror. Raucous crowds and jubilant disciples cheer Jesus on in sheer ignorance, waving branches (Matthew 21:8-9) and shouting "Hosanna!" (meaning "Save us!" see Psalm 118:25-26).

Yet we know, as Jesus does, that he will soon face betrayal, trial, torture, and the cruelest death. He rides through Jerusalem to the cross, where he will assault the gates of hell (Matthew 16:18). Palm Sunday isn't the grand opening but the ironic beginning of Holy Week, which closes with Jesus' death and burial on Friday.

I can't imagine Jesus enjoying the celebration. His heart must be broken as he engages the deadly battle with evil. Like a soldier who must face the enemy, Jesus is prepared to give his life for us. Do we realize why he faced all this—for us?

Later that week Jesus would hear angry jeers—not these naïve cheers. But on this day he accepts the praise; otherwise "the stones will cry out," he says. Does Jesus mean stones along the road or the stones that made up the temple? (See Habakkuk 2:11.) Whichever they were, the stones could cry, "Wave your branches! Cry 'Hosanna!' Enjoy Palm Sunday—but know why he comes!"