WATCHWORD:
40 “But didn’t I tell you that you will see a wonderful miracle from God if you believe?” Jesus asked Martha.41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 (You always hear me, of course, but I said it because of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.)” 43 Then he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And Lazarus came—bound up in the grave cloth, his face muffled in a head swath. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” John 11:40-44
33b “Why are you untying that colt?” 34 And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on. 36 As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. 37 When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. 38 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” 39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” 40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” Luke 19:33b-40
Meditation:
The Night Before
Jerusalem side-street, three blocks from the Temple. In a nondescript house, a small group of men, Zealots, gathered in secret. Each was wanted as a trouble-maker and each had a price on his head. The meeting was to review plans for the week of Passover, plans to create situations that resulted in problems for the Roman dictators. Their leader, Barabbas, was cunning, careful and smart. He was notorious, and was also wanted, with a reward for his capture.
Excitement was in the air, not just because of what was happening within the city, but, because five days ago, they received word that their friend Lazarus had died after a brief illness. That news had saddened them and they had tried to visit Mary and Martha in Bethany, but there were many of the Jewish hierarchy, there, along with Roman soldiers, that they could not risk being arrested.
For days they grieved the death of their friend, but, then the astounding news of a miracle. Lazarus, dead and buried, had been raised to life by a man they knew only by reputation, Jesus of Nazareth. How had that happened, they did not know. They only knew that Jesus was a good teacher, one who had caused trouble in the temple, but he was not a Zealot, as both the Romans and the Jewish hierarchy had labeled him. Barabbas remarked that he wanted to see this man who could raise the dead.
Jerusalem was packed with pilgrims from all over Judea and Galilee, coming for all of the activities and services of Passover. Already the baptismal pools that ringed the temple were busy, and a large marketplace had been created on the main thoroughfare, with pens of animals and cages of birds and chickens.
Everything was ready for the full week of Passover and families of pilgrims looked forward to all the activities. Children were excited and captivated by so many distractions that were available. Merchants smiled greedily as they waited on long lines of customers for all manner of goods. It was a festive atmosphere and while many had been through this in past years, what would unfold in the next six days would be nothing like they had ever experienced. They would all leave the city at the end of the week changed, beyond their expectations.
As if all that was enough, there was talk of a celebration parade, in the morning, from Bethany to the city, led by that renegade rabbi, Jesus, and all his followers, which would include Gentiles. The news caused further worry for the Sanhedrin and for the Roman garrison.
Palm Sunday Morning
The long procession, led by Jesus seated on a donkey, had started early for the short distance from Bethany to the Damascus Gate. The large crowd was waving palm fronds, singing and praising Jesus, making such a racket, as they passed under the arch, entering the city, that religious leaders demanded Him to rebuke them. He replied, “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Things could get out of hand!
Standing, off to the side stood Barabbas, watching in fascination as the parade approached, his eyes fixed on the man riding the donkey. As Jesus passed in front of him, their eyes met, and, he could not turn away. Was that a smile? Then they were gone, into the city. The Zealot stood there lost in his own thoughts. Jesus had looked upon him. Little did he know what this Holy Week would bring for him.
Palm Sunday. Many of us will follow a tradition of Palm branches, beautiful music, familiar scripture passages, communion, and an appropriate message. We’ve all been through this before, the format is familiar but will the experience change us in any way? We know what’s coming, through Holy Week, the awful, the sad, and then Sunday, joyful Easter Sunday, with Easter bonnets, Easter baskets, and an Easter Bunny that could lay colorful eggs.
It is, as they say, “Old Hat”, what we have heard and experienced, year after year? Nothing new. Or, will this be the year that we relive the Crucifixion and understand the personal nature of that sacrifice and forgiveness? Will this be the year that we take it to heart and realize, at a deeper level, that we truly are God’s children? That we, too, are adopted into the family of God, and re-embrace Jesus as Lord and Savior. Amen.
In God’s Tender Care:
I will not be another flower
picked for my beauty
and left to die.
I will be wild, difficult to find,
and impossible to forget… that’s Jess.
― Erin Van Vuren
Dedicated to Jessica Joiner Escott, whom we fondly remember on this April 2, 2023.
Psalm Sunday Prayer:
Palm Sunday is a reminder of the unexpected, yet fully anticipated, King of Kings. Jesus did not look like the Messiah people hoped for. The way He entered the Holy City of Jerusalem on that day, riding a young donkey as a significant sign of peace and fulfillment of prophecy, did not align with their expectations of a military conqueror. Much of our daily lives don’t align with our expectations, Father. So much of our lives don’t make sense. This Palm Sunday, help us embrace the unexpected entrance of our Savior, Jesus. He is Peace. Let us apply this incredible truth to our lives. Peace mattered to Jesus. He came to bring us Peace. He is peace. Father, how quickly we forget the Peace we possess in Christ! Remind us, minute by minute, as we navigate difficult days and trying times. Father, we need Peace to live life to the full, as Jesus died for us to live. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
