Palm Sunday...

Today we will focus on Luke's depiction of Christ's arrival in Jerusalem at the start of passion week and St Paul's letter to the Philippians.

Luke 19:28-40

And having said these things, he went ahead, ascending to Jerusalem. And it happened that, when he had drawn near to Bethphage and Bethania, to the mount which is called Olivet, he sent two of his disciples, saying: “Go into the town which is opposite you. Upon entering it, you will find the colt of a donkey, tied, on which no man has ever sat. Untie it, and lead it here. And if anyone will ask you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this to him: ‘Because the Lord has requested its service.’”

And those who were sent went out, and they found the colt standing, just as he told them. Then, as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” -So they said, “Because the Lord has need of it.” And they led it to Jesus. And casting their garments on the colt, they helped Jesus onto it.

Then, as he was traveling, they were laying down their garments along the way. And when he was now drawing near to the descent of Mount Olivet, the entire crowd of his disciples began to praise God joyfully, with a loud voice, over all the powerful works which they had seen, saying: “Blessed is the king who has arrived in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory on high!”

And certain Pharisees within the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”
And he said to them, “I tell you, that if these will keep silent, the stones themselves will cry out.”

Here we see Jesus arriving at the foot of the Mount of Olives. The people are excited that their savior has finally arrived. Yet, we can only ponder the sadness that Jesus must have experienced looking at the mountain where he would be praying so hard in a week to be delivered from his impending torture and death. His disciples are celebrating now, but next week they will be horrified to see their Master betrayed by Judas.

Notice that Jesus is not riding a war horse, but a humble donkey. The people are excited that the Messiah has finally arrive to defeat the Romans and restore the country to the Jewish people. However, his disciples know that Jesus' mission is one of peace and healing. They have seen so many miracles that they are bursting with joy that others are now recognizing the presence of the King of heaven and earth. 

Still, the Pharisees want Jesus to silence them. But even if Jesus had silenced his disciples, the earth would have rebelled. For the world is holding its breath. It knows what is about to happen and it can not restrain itself from expressing its joy at the King's arrival, any more than it will restrain itself from reacting when Jesus dies on the cross: the sun will go dark, the earth will quake, the Temple curtain will split in two, graves will burst, and the dead will walk among the people!


Phil 2:6-11

(Though) existing in the form of God, (Jesus) did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Here is one of the most powerful and vivid descriptions of the love of God for his creatures. We can not comprehend a love that prompts God the Son to take on human flesh. Can we even imagine the creator of the universe having to use the bathroom? Or that he would allow himself to be taken prisoner, tortured and murdered? Yet, that is how much he loves us. No wonder all those in heaven, on earth and even in hell (beneath the earth) kneel at the name of Jesus!

Let us take some time this week to meditate on Jesus' death and resurrection, to thank God for his wonderful gift of salvation, and to proclaim with all God's creation that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Now go and serve our King!

John