Dear Family,

We love Easter week and what it means to all of us.

*Our purpose in life is to find lasting peace, joy, and happiness as families and to prepare to return to live with God.

*We came to the earth to be tested.

*We make choices and we all commit sin.

*We cannot overcome either physical or spiritual death without Christ.

This is what Christ did for us in his last week. . .

PALM SUNDAY - Jesus was returning to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. As he rode a colt toward the city, large crowds gathered to honor him and to spread clothing and palm branches on the ground in front of him. It was a triumphal entry. The followers rejoiced and cried out. "Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." This triumphal entry provides a joyful prelude to the many sad events that would intervene between this point and the miracle of the empty tomb. It represents one of the few times during His mortal ministry when Jesus was recognized as the king He is.

The triumphal entry also serves as a symbol of Jesus's Second Coming, allowing us to look forward to the day when He will return in glory and all will accept Him as king.

Additional info: For centuries it was the custom for a king to enter a city seated on a donkey as a symbol of peace. That would be in opposition to an army entering on horses with the intent of conquering. The palm leaf was waved as a symbol of victory. Seeing Christ enter Jerusalem in this manner was very threatening to the Sadducees and Pharisees. Zechariah had specifically foretold that the messianic king would come in this fashion.

Love,

Robert & Shauna Valentine
Mom and Dad xoxox