Today, the whole of Christendom marks the event commonly referred to as Palm Sunday. This refers to the palms and branches of trees which the people waived to welcome Jesus Christ to Jerusalem .

On that day, it seemed like people would do everything for Jesus. That would be the logical assumption given their spontaneous but undeniably enthusiastic welcome for Jesus.

There was little doubt about the degree of popularity that Jesus enjoyed at that moment. The enthusiasm was evident in the manner they cut branches of trees to spread on the road where colt that Jesus was riding would pass.

At the same time, the people were shouting loudly as they waived the palms as He rode triumphantly into Jerusalem . This was the reception reserved only for heroes and this one was not even announced ahead.

Unfortunately, popularity invites envy like none other. The shouts and the praises irritated the religious leaders of that day enough for them to try to convince Jesus to quiet the crowd.

Just days later, the religious leaders will have their revenge on Jesus. They not only succeed in raising up a mob to rouse the very same people who had cheered him earlier. They succeeded as well in having Him executed like a common criminal in a manner reserved only for the dregs of society.

People however refuse to learn the lessons and to this day, there are countless who would pay the price just to be popular and earn the praise of other people. Some even go to the extent of plotting grand deceptions just to accomplish their goal.

Popularity breeds contempt because it stirs a raw nerve in those who envy the object of praise and adoration. As most people know, envy is such a strong emotion that drives people to commit extreme acts.

On this day however, there is another lesson that people especially Christians should not miss. It is the lesson about welcoming Jesus Christ in the manner that He approves of.

It is not the welcome that puts emphasis on noise and revelry but which disappears at the first sign of danger or even popular discontent. Rather, it is the welcome that would withstand even the harassment of the many.

This is the lesson that Christians should learn as they celebrate Palm Sunday. Failing to do this, there would be little to distinguish our experience with those who were there on the first Palm Sunday.