What is your welcome sign?

Palm Sunday John 12:12-13, "The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him shouting. "Hosanna!". "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!" Can you imagine this day? Can you imagine the excitement of the people of Jerusalem knowing that their King was coming to visit their city? I know how excited I get when I hear that someone I love and adore are coming in to see me. I prepare my house, get it all cleaned and make it smell nice and inviting. I might prepare a meal or fill up my pantry with their favorite snacks. I do whatever needs to be done, to make sure that person feels adored and welcomed. So, why did the people of Jerusalem lay down "palm branches"? They also wanted their "house" to be inviting. The palm branch was used for several reasons. The roads back then were not paved, they were dusty, muddy and had ruts in them. They wanted Jesus to have a pleasant journey through their city, so they laid the palm branches down to smooth out the road for HIM to have a comfortable journey. It was how they showed him respect. The plam tree is a sign of righteousness. Psalm 92:12, "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree." They wanted to let Jesus know that they knew HE was of good character and believed HE was the son of God. The palm branches were also used to rejoice after the harvest on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles. It was their way of showing victory after their harvest. Jesus was the "victorious" one who had come to save them. As Jesus passed through the city, the people also waved the palms over HIM in a sign of adoration, because they adored who HE was. What a welcome! How awesome Jesus must have felt to look upon the faces of the people who respected HIM, adored HIM and who knew HE was victorious! How do you make Jesus feel welcomed in your house? Do you prepare a place for HIM? Do you lay out the "palm branches" for HIM? Do you make sure that HE gets all the things that HE desires from you? How do you speak his name and does your house shout "Blessed is the name of the Lord" or is HE just a whisper? Do you make it known in your house that HE is the victorious ONE? How do you show HIM respect? Have you welcomed HIM in and asked HIM to find HIS home within your heart? Do you tell HIS story within the walls of your house? Or is HE just a man in a book that never gets opened? YOU have so much to offer HIM and HE has so much to give you! Don't let this Easter season go by without showing HIM how welcomed HE is in your home. By doing this, not only will YOU find victory in your life, but HE will welcome you into HIS home one day.