Read Mark 11:1-11
“Palms & Passion”
Pastor Lib
In my closet there are several old prom dresses our daughter wore in high school. They are reminders of the party. What fun we had dressing up and cheering the events of joyous celebration! But the dresses are faded now; time has taken its toll on material goods. And I realize that the party is not a place I can live forever.
Mark records that many of those gathered in Jerusalem spread their cloaks on the road and welcome Jesus into Jerusalem with loud shouts of “Hosanna.” Loud cheers arise from those who hopes are pinned on this man, Jesus. The shouts of “Hosanna” are echoing as Jesus goes at night back to Bethany. Judas is already looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus and soon the story of the passion of Christ begins to unfold. The party is over and the passion begins. How quickly it changes.
The week between Palm Sunday and Easter is the most important week of the Christian Year. The palms have connection to the Passion and without the Passion, Easter is just another faded dress hanging in the closet of faith. Without the Passion, we have just skimmed the meaning and skipped from party to party. We come to the Passion to experience the pain, the betrayal, the loss, the prayer, the sharing of sorrow and suffering. It’s life that needs Easter. To miss it misses the main point: That suffering and death are not the end. That’s a promise that does not fade! So, come and see. Experience it all that you may claim the victory as yours on Easter Sunday. Amen.
Holy God, the palms in my hand remind me of the gift of your sacrificial love to me. Help me to remember with thanksgiving. Amen.
