The early church was a suffering church. The first three hundred years of Christian worship was shaped by the reality of persecution. In 313, the Emperor declared that Christians must be tolerated. Believers took advantage of their new freedom and soon after would be found waving palm branches through the streets of Jerusalem, reenacting Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city. Wearing no royal robe or crown, our humble Prophet-King was lauded by the same crowds who soon would cry out for His crucifixion. But this isn’t the only portrait of triumph drawn on the pages of the New Testament. Come and celebrate our King as we anticipate the lonely road of His (and our) victory.