Premature celebration, an act of faith.

They celebrated His entry with palm leaves and strewn clothing, shouting Hosanna.

A cheer to, quite literally, "Save us".

The end of the week would bring more than political leverage or a few miraculous moments, even a 'save us' of eternal nature.

He knew that; they didn't.

But they cheered, anyway.

Only a guarantee could secure that type of response.

A guarantee in the form of God's Only Begotten, hand-picked by the Father Himself.

The weight of every child's salvation stacked on Christ's shoulders, and I can't help but think Heaven cheered before all was won, too.

So I hope I learn how to clap before the curtain falls,

Give generously before the account is full,

Shout before the buzzer sounds,

Thank Him before prayers are answered,

And claim triumph before my battles are won.

If I really know the One Who entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to never leave the way He came-

Then I know the future is bright, and good things are ahead.

So my responsiblity, then, is to "look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in Him to come as though he already was."

Because of Him, battles are won long before they've begun.