As I post today I realize that today is Palm Sunday. It is not a "holiday" that we traditionally teach or talk about but it occurred on the last Sunday that Jesus was living before his death, burial and resurrection. The Sunday before Easter is known as "Palm Sunday." It celebrates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. Great crowds of people thronged in the streets and waved palm branches to welcome him. They shouted "Hosanna" and laid their cloaks and palm branches from nearby trees in his path. They were receiving Jesus as their "king." The people thought that Jesus would restore the earthly kingdom of David and clear the Romans from Jerusalem.
1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 "Go into the village over there," he said, "and you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them here. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will immediately send them." 4This was done to fulfill the prophecy, 5 "Tell the people of Israel, 'Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey -- even on a donkey's colt.'" 6 The two disciples did as Jesus said. 7 They brought the animals to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. 8 Most of the crowd spread their coats on the road ahead of Jesus, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 He was in the center of the procession, and the crowds all around him were shouting, "Praise God for the Son of David! Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!" 10 The entire city of Jerusalem was stirred as he entered. "Who is this?" they asked. 11 And the crowds replied, "It's Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
14 The blind and the lame came to him, and he healed them there in the Temple. 15 The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the little children in the Temple shouting, "Praise God for the Son of David." But they were indignant 16 and asked Jesus, "Do you hear what these children are saying?" "Yes," Jesus replied. "Haven't you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, 'You have taught children and infants to give you praise.' " NLT
As I read the passage I had to ask myself...If I had been there would I have been with the 'indignant' or the children? Would I be praising Jesus or trying to quiet down the crowds. This week as we contemplate and get ready for Easter Sunday, think about how we can still praise Jesus with our lives and what hinders us from doing so. Let us pray for boldness to always be ready to give a "shout out" for Jesus!
As I read this passage, my thoughts reflected more on the praise of the children, "Do you hear what these children are saying?" As God's child, is my praise of Jesus fitting of the King of Kings and Lord or Lords? Does my life as God's child cause others to see Jesus' beauty reflected in me; the way I walk, talk, praise, live? I believe that the "shout out" can only come from the shout within, that deep authentic place that tells us who we are when we truly surrender our hearts to God. Regardless of where they stood then, where do I stand now after having knowledge of so great a sacrifice?
ReplyDeleteThis truly is a time to reflect, to ask the tough questions...to take the time to allow the renewal of life that we see all around us to challenge our own willingness to renew our spiritual selves; allow God to do a new thing in us as all that is false and that no longer serves our higher purpose falls away.