It's the beginning of the holiest week of the Christian faith. 

It's a King riding on a lowly donkey.

It's praising that turns to scoffing.

It's friends gathered to friends scattered.

It's quiet love looking into the red faces of hate.

It's grace offered to the ungracious.

It's betrayal by a chosen friend.

It's wishing to return once coveted money.

It's sleeping while sweat falls like drops of blood nearby.

It's unrest swirling around the Prince of Peace.       

It's freeing a murderer and murdering innocence.   

It's heavenly power mocked by earthly power. 

It's silent restraint in the midst of loud humiliation.

It's the King of Kings wearing thorns instead of gold. 

It's everlasting authority being challenged by temporary thrones.

It's a mother's heart being broken and saved at the same time. 

It's the purest given for the putrid.

It's the Creator killed by His own creations.

It's asking for forgiveness instead of revenge. 

It's dying while possessing all the power to escape.

It's the innocent taking punishment for the guilty.

It's paying a debt He didn't incur. 

It's complete submission in a world of self-interest.

It's a sun that refuses to give off light.

It's immortal willingly becoming mortal. 

It's prophesy fulfilled and yet unrecognizable to those who claim to know.

It's a guarded, empty grave.

It's good news in a time of mourning. 

It's hope in days of trouble and glory in the face of death.

It's gain that comes from loss.

It's a free gift that cost so much.  

It's a denier being restored by the Denied.

It's despairing sorrow bringing everlasting joy.

It's living in a world without being of it.

It's sometimes being hated for loving Him. 

It's a call to take hope to the hopeless.