Palms & Praise

The disciples… brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.  A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and people asked, “Who is this man?”

 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

 -Matthew 21:6-11

Who is this man?  The question has been asked of Jesus since the beginning.  As we embark on a journey through Holy Week I encourage you to ask yourself, “Who is Jesus to me?”  Is Jesus a good teacher, a moral influencer, a sacrificial lamb, a friend, my savior?  Why does it matter who Jesus is to us?  How will that understanding or belief change our reactions and behaviors?

We try to understand who God is and what God is doing in the world.  It is not an easy task.  When we look at the hardship and tragedy in the world… wars, innocent children slain in their schools by gun violence, hunger, poverty, addiction… it becomes difficult to believe that God is in control.  These tragic situations make it hard for us to believe that God really loves us at all.  Who is this Jesus?  Each day next week you will receive an email newsletter with scriptures from the Gospel of John.  My prayer is that you will have a deeper understanding of who this Jesus is and what he was really about through scripture.  Jesus did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.  Perhaps not in the way we expected or wanted, but in the most necessary way – personally, in relationship with God.  Who is this man to you?

Lord, You ride in with humble glory, and we wave our palm branches, shouting and dancing our prayer of Hosanna. We join our voices and hearts with the crowd, hoping that you will do what we expect of you. But your way is not always glorious, not always cheering crowds, not always a parade of victory. Lead us, Lord, to know your way, and to walk with you on any road you travel.  Amen.