“Palms & Passion”

Julie Gibson

This Holy Saturday is the time between time, and it seems that all creation must be holding its breath.  On this seventh day—the day on which God rested from creating—Christ rests in the tomb.  When God had finished all creation, God looked at all that had been created, and proclaimed “It is good,” and then God rested.  When Christ had competed his work on earth, he proclaimed “It is finished” – and it is good. And on that day between days, his was the ultimate Sabbath rest.

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We have once again taken this journey in the life of Christ.  We have traced his steps to the cross, and tried once more to apply what we have learned to our own lives.  Next year, we will be marked with a cross made of ashes, and follow Christ’s journey again, and then again, and then again again.  We will continue to read about Jesus Christ’s life and death; we will read about his teachings and his passion; we will come around again to this day of rest.   But it will always bring something new.

For on the eighth day, God’s relationship with humankind began its passionate love affair.  And on the eighth day Jesus Christ sprang up to revel in that newly freed relationship, constantly pursuing and perfecting us; and we are invited to take part in this living relationship.  

“…let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1b-2 (NRSV)

In the Easter joy that is to come, open yourself to God’s wooing; let God’s passionate pursuit overtake you, and let this be a season marked with the cross, not on your forehead, but on your heart.

Amen.

“Palms & Passion”

Jo Elaine Harris

Jesus has been stripped and beaten, ridiculed, tried in a mock trial, and sentenced to death by crucifixion.  He has carried his heavy wooden cross through the city and up the hill to Golgotha.  Soldiers strip him naked, nail his hands and feet to the cross, and then hoist him up for all to see.  Passersby hurl insults and cruel words at Jesus, some even hurl stones at his defenseless body; yet, Jesus remains peaceful.  Darkness settles over the midday scene as he offers his final words.  “It is finished!”

These three, powerful words are packed with meaning.  In this situation, Jesus’ words do not merely refer to the end of his life.  No, they mean much more than that.  Note the exclamation point at the end of these three words – an exclamation point placed on his life.  Jesus is confirming that he has accomplished what God sent him to do!  Jesus fulfilled God’s dreams for his life! 

I wonder if we will be able to say the same thing about our lives when our mortal bodies die.  Will we be able to say that we faithfully followed the path God set out for us?  Will we be able say that we fulfilled God’s dreams for our lives?  Will we be able to say, “It is finished!” and put an exclamation point at the end?

As we bow at the foot of the cross this holy day, let us allow the blood of the lamb to fall upon us to redeem and renew us, and let us fulfill God’s dream for our lives, so that when our mortal bodies die, we can say, “It is finished!”

“Palms & Passion”

Pastor Ben

There are a lot of things Jesus instructs his followers to “go and do” that I get pretty excited about.  For example, I love participating in the sacraments of baptism and holy communion.  I love the use of the material elements of water, bread, and wine.  They seem so earthly and yet God transforms them in to powerful channels of grace, forgiveness, redemption and connection.  But foot washing…that is a hard one for me to get excited about.

First off, I am pretty self-conscious about my own feet.  Let’s just say I will never be asked to be a foot model.  But second, feet in general just are just…well…how to say it…kind of gross!  At least that has been my experience of feet.  My feet tend to smell bad, look funny, are extremely ticklish, and are that part of me that I just prefer to keep to myself.  So participating in foot washing services challenge me and force me to get beyond my inhibitions but the times I have actually done it are times I have never forgotten.

One summer at camp, I got crossed up with a fellow camper.  I don’t remember now all of the details of the conflict but by day two of the two weeks together we were not speaking to one another.  Our counselors paired us at the pool, for sailing, and for canoeing but that only seemed to drive us further apart.  He couldn’t hold the tiller steady and I couldn’t seem to paddle right!  As the week progressed things only got worse.  It was shaping up to be the worst camp experience ever.  Until…

One night my group’s support staff took on responsibility for leading our vesper service.  They blindfolded us and led us across camp to the chapel.  As we entered in they took off our blindfolds.  The chapel was dark expect for the candles sporadically placed around a circle of chairs.  They set us down and began to read our text for today.  As one was reading the other staff member began to bring out tubs of water and towels.  He sat them in the center of the room.  When he finished he began to model for us how to wash one another’s feet. 

I was immediately repulsed and convinced I would have nothing to do with it.  After all camp is a pretty dirty kind of place.  People wear sandals all day, step in who knows what, it is 100 plus degrees, feet get wet, then dry, then wet again…well you get the idea. 

But suddenly and unexpectedly, I looked up and there was the person in my group that I was most at odds with standing right in front of me.  Before I could say, “No”, he knelt down and began to wash my feet.  It was a gesture of love and reconciliation that I have obviously never forgotten.  It said more than any words either of us could have ever expressed.  In no small part, that foot-washing experience, turned out to play a key role in making that one of the best weeks I ever had at camp.

Jesus was on to something with the whole call to wash one another’s feet.  No, it is not easy.  It is awkward, uncomfortable, and challenging to social convention.  No where else in life and or society to we find a call to kneel down and wash another’s feet.  Yet it remains one the most incredible and powerful means of communicating God’s grace, peace, love, and reconciliation. 

So maybe we should stop running from it and start running towards it.  Maybe we should embrace the call to do as Christ did and begin again the practice of washing one another’ feet.  Who knows what it could lead to?  Could it bring about world peace?  Maybe…maybe not…but it sure is hard to hate someone whose feet you have washed or who has washed your feet.  I say let’s give it a try and see what happens…it can’t hurt…it just might tickle a little!

God, break through our inhibitions and remind us of the call to be in servant relationship with you, the world, and one another.  Just as you have washed us so now may we go to wash the world.  Amen.

“Palms & Passion”

Tom Campbell

Before we get to Passover let us not pass over the evening in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper. While gathered at the table a woman came, broke open a jar and anointed Jesus with an expensive fragrance called Nard. Some were incensed at the extravagance of this incense, suggesting the proceeds from their sale could be used to help the poor.

Jesus, who preached about feeding the poor, helping those in need, and giving generously to others, defends the woman saying that she had done a good service to him. This woman has anointed his body in advance of his burial. What she has done will be remembered. 

The woman is everywoman. She represents us all in the revelation that Jesus is indeed the Christ. She brings the best she has to worship and honor Jesus as Messiah. And Jesus’ response does not diminish our responsibility for helping the poor. He merely affirms her and her extravagant gift. Just as the widow gave extravagantly her meager coin, this woman, who obviously had means, was equally generous. Nothing is too good for God and no amount, given sacrificially and generously, is too little.

Jesus, who is about to give the ultimate gift, wants us to remember this story and repeat it. The hymn “What Gift Can We Bring” reminds us of our obligation and privilege.

“What gift can we bring, what present, what token?

What words can convey it, the joy of this day?

When grateful we come, remembering, rejoicing,

what song can we offer in honor and priase?

“Give thanks for the past, for those who had vision,

who planted and watered so dreams could come true.

Give thanks for the now, for study, for worship,

for mission that bids us turn prayers into deed.

“Give thanks for tomorrow, full of surprises,

for knowing whatever tomorrow may bring,

the Word is our promise always, forever,

we rest in God’s promise and live in God’s praise.”

“Palms & Passion”

Amy Perry

I was excited to get this part of the Holy Week story. In these passages, Jesus knows that His time on earth is coming to an end, but His time in eternity is getting ready to start. I wanted to convey the last days of Christ as God would have me to do, but I kept getting in the way. 

In reading and rereading these passages, I had lots of questions – Why that colt? (11:2) Why that woman? (14:3) Why the man carrying the jar & the owner of that house? (14:13-14) Why the slave of the high priest? (14:47) Why Barabbas? (15:7)  All of these people, and then some, were used in Jesus’ journey. So why not us???

I never realized that the crucifixion of Jesus was a miracle in itself. I never realized that even while His son was dying on the cross, God used the act of crucifixion as a way to show His love and grace.  A normal man would never have been able to take the torture and beatings that Jesus did.  His death by crucifixion should have taken several days, but the death of Jesus took only hours. Praise be to God!! Then Joseph of Arimathea (who was a member of the council of chief priest ~ one who condemned Jesus) requested the body of Jesus & took such good care of his body. (15:46) 

With all the questions I had, there is one thing that I know for sure!!  Jesus died for the sins of all mankind.  I love God for that grace and forgiveness. I love Jesus for his suffering and unwavering faith!!

How will you act when Jesus asks you to be part of His unending journey to bring all the children of God to be with him in heaven???  Will you ask a bunch of questions or just do as He asks?

“Palms & Passion”

Jen Bauldree

Forgiveness can be difficult, especially for a young child.  My four year-old son has learned about forgiveness and he will usually say “It’s OK, I forgive you” when his sister apologizes to him.  There are some days, however, when all he can do is muster up a loud reply of, “It’s NOT OK!”.  I think we can all relate to that feeling.

In today’s scripture passages, Mark details the final week of Jesus’ life.  From the betrayal at Gethsemane by one of his own, to his arrest, crucifixion and death, Jesus suffers and suffers.  Yet through all of this he forgives.  For me, this example of forgiveness is what Easter is all about. 

As humans, we will sin and we will hurt each other. We have all experienced our share of sharp words, hurt feelings or broken relationships.  Many of us live our lives holding onto past wrongs and holding grudges.  It’s difficult to forgive someone who you feel may not deserve it.  But if Jesus could forgive those who put him to death, how can we not forgive a friend or family member who has wronged us?

As followers of Jesus we should offer forgiveness to one another just as He did.  As we draw closer to Easter and the resurrection of the Son of God, let’s follow the amazing example of forgiveness that Jesus set.

“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.

“Purpose”

Elizabeth Owens

When the infant continued to cry, it was piercing and painful without relief.  The family that opened their hearts to care for the child were over-burdened.  It was not possible.  The wailing child was moved to another home.  The only quiet times of no crying were when in the car, riding around.  That would not do.  A pediatrician recognized the baby’s blindness, and another family was found. 

In all this woe, a mother, who had never born a child, fell in love with this baby.  The numerous hours of rocking, holding, listening, cuddling, feeding and caring consumed the new couple.  Little by little the sleep time increased and the crying diminished. 

A personality emerged.  A person developed.  A family thrived.  A family was fulfilled.

 The silent suffering and death of Christ Jesus was His giving us the forgiving grace to be whole.  Christ coming in our loves changes us.  There is a place of value for each person.  And the healing grace of our Lord Jesus has made it so.

All our troubles, woes, tears and torment are healed over by the grace of Jesus fulfilling the hour of sacrifice.

“Purpose”

Julie Gibson

This passage comes on the heels of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.  In verse 19 the Pharisees have just said to each other, “Look, the world has gone after him!” 

And we read in verse 20 that the world is after Jesus—Greeks, to be exact.  They have come to Jerusalem, and “wish to see Jesus.”  It is this phrase, together with Jesus’ own words at the end of this passage—”And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” that give us a wider vision of Jesus’ purpose.  Yes, he came to the Jews; but he also came to the world. 

From the beginning God has wanted to be in relationship with all of us, and God chose the descendants of Abraham to be a light to the nations—to be the ones to demonstrate how wonderful it is to walk with God.  Jesus is that light!  If you read a bit further, in verse 35  Jesus tells the crowd, “The light is with you for a little longer.  Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not over take you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going.  While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.” 

Jesus’ purpose was to be the light to the nations; our purpose is to be children of light.  Jesus’ purpose was to draw all people to him; our purpose is to walk with God, and glow in the world.

Shine on!

“Purpose”

Fred Watkins

Jesus clearly states His purpose.  It is to glorify His Father.   

My goals and desires in life have changed over the years.  As a youth it was to be a good athlete and make good enough grades to stay out of trouble with my parents.  Then it became a goal to have a career and a family, not necessarily in that order.  Age changes things as we mature and adjustments are made. 

Jesus in all ways served His purpose of glorifying His Father.  Jesus also asked us to follow Him even unto death.  I am not ready to die, yet I am willing to die to the things of this earth.  If we are to be honored by the Father as was Jesus, the message is clear -  follow and serve Him.  My purpose should be clear now, be a servant who glorifies God and loves his fellow man.  Now that is a purpose for which I can live and die.