We all know that the rainbow signifies that God will never again destroy the earth in a flood. The significance of this sign‚ however‚ far exceeds this solitary point.

That is why Jesus went through all that anguish. He did it for all those who would come to faith in the world. We were the joy set before Him.

Palm Sunday is an invitation. A chance to clear our vision. To set aside the mundane and the urgent. It’s a chance to fix our eyes on Jesus and marvel once again at the wonder of the cross.

Fears surround us daily. What’s scaring you these days? Technologically‚ the advance of powerful AI technology holds promise but also peril (such as the technology “tak[ing] over‚” as AI’s founder worries). Politically‚ there are doubts as to how much longer a democracy can be sustained‚ a concern heightened in an election year. Looking abroad‚ conflicts on multiple fronts lead us to wonder whether we’re teetering on the edge of the next world war. There’s also the ongoing pinch of sin we experience in our communities and lives. Trust is key for weathering our fears. It acts as a trellis in the tumult. The problem‚ though‚ is that we don’t have much trust left. Ironically‚ the path toward distrust is motivated by self-protection. Trust‚ so the thinking goes‚ will hurt us in the end. So we build a buffer of skepticism toward others‚ especially toward institutions and those in power. As we tread further down distrust’s path‚ what began as self-protection ends up hurting us and our communities. The hedge of skepticism that was supposed to protect becomes a prison. We’re left isolated and afraid in a world that appears to be careening toward doom. Jesus’s triumphal entry on Palm Sunday teaches us that no matter how unstable and dangerous the world feels‚ we can trust him. Jesus’s triumphal entry on Palm Sunday teaches us that no matter how unstable and dangerous the world feels‚ we can trust him. Such trust requires two ingredients: command and care. You trust a good plumber because he has a command of the trade and cares for you. If he has no command of plumbing‚ you probably shouldn’t trust him‚ no matter how much he cares. But if he doesn’t care‚ then no matter his command‚ he isn’t looking out for your best interests and will probably try to take advantage of you. Command and care are both essential for trust. Take one or the other away and healthy skepticism makes sense; after all‚ Jesus instructs his disciples to be “shrewd as serpents” (Matt. 10:16‚ CSB). Jesus’s Command For Jesus’s disciples‚ the lead-up to Palm Sunday was marked by trepidation. They dreaded the return to Jerusalem‚ for Jesus narrowly escaped stoning the last time they were there (John 11:8). Tensions were high and the world felt unstable. On top of all that‚ Jerusalem was buzzing with activity as pilgrims flooded the city to celebrate Passover. Still‚ Jesus has command of the situation. He instructs his disciples‚ Go into the village in front of you‚ and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied‚ on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you‚ “Why are you doing this?” say‚ “The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.” (Mark 11:2–3) Jesus’s prediction and its fulfillment remind his disciples he’s in command of the situation. As Holy Week unfolds‚ the intensity will only heighten as his power and authority clash with the rulers and authorities in Jerusalem. When he’s arrested‚ his followers will abandon and deny him‚ fearing they may be next. Nonetheless‚ these instructions remind his disciples of something important: when it feels like everything is spiraling out of control‚ Jesus is still in charge and his commanding kingship rules over the smallest detail. When it feels like everything is spiraling out of control‚ Jesus is still in charge and his commanding kingship rules over the smallest detail. Jesus’s ministry had already demonstrated his command over sickness‚ storms‚ demonic forces‚ and death. As he enters a chaotic and hostile Jerusalem under a canopy of waving palm branches‚ he essentially says‚ “I’ve got this. I am in control.” Commentator James Edwards puts it like this: “[Jesus] does not enter Jerusalem as an unknowing victim‚ but with . . . foreknowledge and sovereignty”—or we might say‚ competency and command. Jesus’s Care Perhaps we don’t doubt Jesus’s command but question his care. After all‚ if he’s in charge‚ why is the world (or my life) filled with such pain? Palm Sunday shows us Jesus also has the second ingredient necessary for trust: care. Zechariah 9 tells of a righteous king‚ humble and mounted on a donkey‚ who’ll bring salvation to Jerusalem. This king’s peace will extend to the ends of the earth. Lest Jesus’s three years of ministry leave any doubt he was bringing forth the “year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:19)‚ his entry on a beast of burden speaks loudly of his salvation and care. Luke’s account gives an additional detail that points to Jesus’s care at his triumphal entry: his tears (19:41). Jesus weeps over Jerusalem’s rejection of him and his kingdom. He is not in a huff; he is brokenhearted. Not long before weeping for Jerusalem‚ he wept over the death of Lazarus (John 11:35). In both instances‚ Dane Ortlund observes‚ it is sorrow for others that draws out Jesus’s tears‚ for he is the King who cares. But do Jesus’s command and care hold up against the threats we face—nuclear war‚ a volatile market‚ another pandemic‚ AI‚ a precarious democracy‚ a school bully‚ an overbearing boss‚ a difficult spouse‚ besetting sin? Consider a diver plunging into shark-infested waters. How does a person do such a thing? He has a cage of protection that can fend off any attack. Jesus’s triumphal entry teaches us that his command and care‚ like the shark cage‚ outweigh and overpower every threat we face. He can be trusted‚ and so our governing posture in a chaotic world can be galvanizing trust. While the world‚ flesh‚ and Devil bang and bite against our lives‚ our refuge is in the mighty King on the donkey.

A big-cheeked cat who had to compete with other animals outside for food is now the boss of the house. ClydeSt Francis Society Animal RescueA big-cheeked cat had spent many years outdoors‚ surviving on the food left by people‚ but no one offered him a home. He had to compete with raccoons over meals and often went hungry for days.Sandra saw the cat looking rougher by the day when she was pet-sitting for a family. The haggard tom cat sat in a corner while the raccoons wolfed down his food. He seemed so weary‚ as if he had given up.Determined to help the cat‚ Sandra brought him inside‚ upgraded his living condition to a quiet‚ comfortable room‚ and named the deserving boy Clyde. Clyde had to compete with raccoons for foodSandraClyde was in poor shape with a host of issues‚ including a deep wound on his neck and entropion‚ a condition in which the eyelids curl inwards‚ causing the lashes and fur to rub against the eyes constantly.His room was a palace compared to the gritty streets outside. He was quiet but happy to be indoors at last. He was finally safe after being outside for yearsSandraWith the support of St Francis Society Animal Rescue‚ his wound was cleaned and closed‚ and his eyelids were corrected. Clyde slept in a king-sized bed for the first time in his life‚ and he was on cloud nine."He tried the soft fluffy blanket‚ then my pillow‚ but decided the best place to be was snuggled up against me. I woke up a few times during the night‚ and every time‚ I found him comfortably curled up‚" Sandra shared. His fur is cleaner‚ brighter‚ and softerSandraClyde rested abundantly over the next two weeks‚ making a speedy recovery. "He's discovered scratchers and catnip‚ and he loves both. His fur is cleaner‚ brighter‚ and softer. He's a talker and loves to snuggle at night."With his newfound strength and appetite‚ he made good gains and became increasingly intrigued by everything in the house. He's become a supervisor in the houseColleenHe is fascinated by the sink and running water. He watches his foster mom brush her teeth and feels the urge to "rescue" her from the shower. He follows her like a shadow and greets her at the door.Being FIV+ doesn't bother him‚ and he enjoys inspecting every nook and cranny of the house like a true detective. He likes to inspect every nook and cranny even atop the fridgeColleenHe gets along with other cats but prefers being someone's one and only.Clyde has been indoors for about nine months and has blossomed into a happy‚ confident boy. He's ready to seek a forever home where he can rule with cuddles and purrs. Colleen"Less than a year ago‚ this big-cheeked‚ adorable former Tom Cat would go days without eating. But now‚ Sweet Clyde believes he is the boss of the house‚" Colleen‚ foster volunteer of St Francis Society Animal Rescue‚ shared. Sandra"He will supervise everything you do. If you accidentally leave groceries on the counter‚ Clyde has your back. He will be sure it is no longer there when you go back into the kitchen."Aside from his mischievous streak‚ Clyde has a tender‚ loving side. Clyde offers his "help" in the kitchenSandraHe trails his people around the house‚ curls up in bed beside them at night‚ and showers them with purrs and snuggles in the morning."This handsome former Tom has traded in his big cheeks for a simpler life of lying on counters and sleeping all day." Happy and lovedColleenShare this story with your friends. More on Clyde and St Francis Society Animal Rescue (in FL) on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks to Sandra and Colleen.Related story: Kitten Comes Running to Traveling Couple and Hops into Their Arms‚ She Won't Let Them Leave Her

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