False Springs! We've had our share of them. In fact, it's been just a few days since we've had the last one. How we long for spring and the renewal of life each year!

Stiff from a long winter of snow, ice and rain; worn out from struggling into overshoes and heavy coats; bored with cabin fever, shut up like chickens in a coop; aching to get out to the garden, to grab a handful of good black dirt!

To say we welcome spring is to understate the case. We yearn for it! We long to see the crocus!

On a day in February we get the groundhog report. Since his shadow has escaped detection we believe spring will come early. And there are some warm days. "Unseasonably warm," we observe. Geese are spotted flying north. Buds on trees begin to swell. Time to clean the golf clubs and check the fishing tackle.

On a Saturday morning reserved for the first outing, we see robins -- in the snow. Tulips stand in the garden, with snow about their skirts, looking like awkward guests who have arrived at a party -- early. And old-timers say: "We told you so. We've lived in Kansas too long to be surprised by an early spring." With a grudge, we pull the overshoes and coats from their premature storage. The pall of winter settles down again. The false spring has done its work.

On a promising day of spring, Jesus made His way to Jerusalem. A recent event had encouraged His followers to believe the springtime of the Kingdom was budding. One who marched among them -- at a respectable distance -- was Lazarus, recently from among the dead. Along the path, crowds shouted praise because of his deliverance from the tomb. He was evidence of Jesus' power!

"Hosannah!" they sang, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" The people's song stunned Jerusalem's officials who sought to put Jesus and his grave-cloaked friend to death.

Because of what happened we have named that day "Palm Sunday." We call it a "Triumphal Entry." As parades go, it was probably no match for our splendid Rose Parade. It wouldn't compare to a modern extravaganza. But for those who marched into the city then, it was a breath of spring.

For Israel, winter's long wait seemed over. The lonely night-time vigil of the Kingdom was past. Messiah had come! Deliverance from Rome seemed in sight. Visions of David danced in their heads, for he had founded Israel as a nation; he had established a capitol, a court, a government, a kingdom. Israel had been powerful and respected. The poor and oppressed were treated with justice. Such glory had long departed, and its renewal was long overdue.

Now these simple folk saw, as the religious and political leaders did not, the Kingdom in the pangs of rebirth. God would rule again! The supremacy of Israel would again be felt among the nations. Yahweh again would dwell in the temple.

But it was a False Spring! Soon their songs choked in their throats. Hosannahs became dust in their lungs. The joyful crowd which swelled the chorus became the angry mob. Their song of triumph turned into a coarse chant: "Crucify Him. We have no king but Caesar." The hopes of many lay lifeless on the ground.