阅读经文 

在湛蓝的天空下，阿巴拉契亚山道上广阔草原尽头的山景被一层薄薄的雪覆盖着。我能看到几英里外的山谷。那天是棕枝主日，我停下来回想起史上第一个棕枝主日，耶稣和众人下了橄榄山，前往耶路撒冷。

围观的人群充满了爱国热情。他们欢呼，称祂是他们的王，又把衣服和棕树枝放在祂面前的路上，喊着说：“奉主名来的王是应当称颂的！”（参路 19:38） 他们误以为祂会成为以色列国的救主，将他们从罗马帝国的统治中解放出来。但是耶稣来是为了一个更大的目的——仅仅过了几天，同样的一群人就将喊着说：“钉祂十字架！钉祂十字架！”（参路 23:21）

耶稣是救主——不仅是以色列或其他国家的救主，也是所有相信祂之人的救主。因着神的怜悯，祂给我们的不是民众想要的，而是他们和我们最需要的。

后来在阿巴拉契亚的棕枝主日，我遇到了一个叫戴夫的弟兄。我们站在路上，一起祈祷，庆祝救主的来临。

耶稣把我们从罪恶中拯救出来，赐给我们与神同行所需的平安与确信。

The mountain view across a vast meadow on the Appala­chian Trail was lightly dusted with snow under a brilliant blue sky. I could see for miles across the valley. It was Palm Sunday, and I paused to reflect on the first Palm Sunday, when Jesus and the crowds descended the Mount of Olives and headed into Jerusalem.

Spying him, crowds of people were filled with patriotic fervor. Hailing him as their king, they laid cloaks and palm branches on the path in front of him, shouting, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” Somewhat mistaken, they believed he would be Israel’s national savior who could free them from the rule of the Roman Empire. But Jesus had come for a far greater purpose—and just a few days later the same crowds were shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Jesus is the Savior—not merely of Israel or any other nation, but of all people who believe in him. In his mercy, God gave the crowds not what they wanted but what they—and we—needed most.

Later on Palm Sunday in Appalachia, I met a Christian brother named Dave. Standing on the trail, we prayed together, celebrating the Savior.

Jesus saves us from our sinful selves and gives us the peace and assurance we need in ­order to live and walk with God.