Read

Luke 19:41-42 “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.’”

Think

Palm Sunday was a parade. The streets were packed. Palm branches waved. People shouted “Hosanna!” and hailed Jesus like a conquering hero. But less than a week later, those same voices would yell, “Crucify him!”

That’s a fast fall from favor.

And what did Jesus do while everyone was celebrating him? He cried. As the crowd cheered, he wept. Not because he didn’t believe in his mission—but because he knew they didn’t understand it. He wasn’t the Savior they expected. They wanted rescue from Rome. He came to rescue their souls. They shouted for a kingdom on earth. He came to bring the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus knew how quickly the cheers would fade. How short-lived the praise would be. How loud the crowd could turn when their expectations weren’t met.

Maybe you’ve felt that shift too.

You’ve poured into someone, only to be met with silence. You’ve made a hard, right decision and lost approval. You’ve stood firm in your faith and watched the crowd drift away. The cheers faded—and so did your confidence.

But here’s the good news: Jesus understands. He didn’t come for the praise of people—he came for the peace of your soul. He didn’t stay on the mountaintop of applause. He kept walking toward the cross.

Why? Because love is louder than applause. And his love for you didn’t fade with the crowd.

Apply

When the applause fades, keep walking. If you’re feeling overlooked or misunderstood, stay faithful. Jesus knows what that feels like—and he kept going. Ask him for strength to keep following even when the crowd disappears.

Pray

Jesus, I don’t want to follow you just when it’s easy or popular—I want to follow you when it’s quiet and costly too. Give me the strength to keep walking in obedience even when the cheers fade. Help me to live for your “well done,” not the world’s approval. In Jesus’ name. Amen.