March 24, 2024 – Palm Sunday

“When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, [Jesus] sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’ ” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna!  Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.” Mark 11:1-11

Today we celebrate Palm Sunday.  In the Gospel reading we heard the description of Jesus entering the city of Jerusalem.  Jesus sends out two of his disciples ahead of him saying “Go into the village ahead of you – find there a donkey that has never been ridden.  Untie it and bring it back to me.”  His followers find things as he says they will find it, and his followers place cloaks on the donkey and on the road – and then they place Jesus on the donkey, and he begins his long ride down the path from the Mount of Olives into the city of Jerusalem. It is quite a picture, one that brings many images to mind. Most importantly, the statement he is making is that he, Jesus, is a king. But, in essence, it all looks “ridiculous” don’t you think?  Jesus has finally accepted his kingship, and instead of riding in on a horse and chariot, like Caesar, he rides in upon a donkey – “How Ridiculous”. Did you ever have a moment where you have felt ridiculous? I have in my phone gallery of pictures a picture from a birthday party we had for my mother last year.  Someone in the family brought to the party some of those party “poppers”.  They were not the kind that when you pull the string, streamers come out.  No, these poppers made a popping noise, but what was inside was a prize.  In several of them there was a paper crown – green and red paper crowns.  Leah wanted me to wear one of them.  So I unfolded one and put it on my head.  And as such we have a picture of me, my father and mother, and Leah all wearing paper crowns. If you look at the picture, there I am wearing my cleric shirt and collar, a black sweater, and a red paper crown on my head.  I look at that picture and think “I look ridiculous”. 

Jesus rode down the path from the Mount of Olives, into Jerusalem, and along the way his followers spread cloaks upon the road, and cut palm branches to wave them in the air as they shouted “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.”  Here comes Jesus – here he comes – riding upon the back of a donkey with cloaks upon the road – here he comes.  If he doesn’t look at least a little “ridiculous”, then the whole scene is just a little ridiculous because here comes a king, riding on a donkey – and there he goes heading to the cross.  What kind of parade is this?

What brings us hope, my friends, is this — Jesus doesn’t stop — his parade takes him from the Mount of Olives, to the Temple where he overturns the tables of the money changers. Then he goes on to teach in the Temple Courts — and then he will go off to Bethany to be anointed. And then before we know it, Jesus is in the Upper Room with his closest friends teaching them about the newest and greatest commandment — to love one another. But his parade does not stop — even two thousand years later, we are still watching his parade and shouting Hosanna.

Oh, they tried to kill the King Jews — but they could not kill his sovereignty — his kingship. 

So it is that we continue each and every day — going forward in faith. It is the love of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the strength of the Father that we will continue to endure this crazy world — and will be able to persevere through Palm Sunday — into Holy Week — and on to the cross of Good Friday. 

Pastor Dave

March 23, 2024 – Trust the Father

“See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms and carry them in his bosom and gently lead the mother sheep.” Isaiah 40:10-11

“We really don’t know much. Every day we are all greeted with mysteries. None of us can predict for sure where our personal stories are going. We are all confused about what happens to us, to those close to us, and in the world in which we live. As much as we try to make sense of our lives, there are things that we simply aren’t able to understand. Here’s what all of this means—you and I will never find inner peace and rest by trying to figure it all out. Peace is found in resting in the wisdom and grace of the One who has it all figured out and rules it all for his glory and our good.” (“New Morning Mercies”, March 26; Paul David Tripp)

There is so much that we don’t understand in this life. There is so much that we are incapable of understanding because we have such a narrow view of eternity. When it all seems to be too much, remember that our rest is found in trusting the Father. G-d, our Father is not confused, and he surely does have your best interest in mind. Yes, G-d will ask you to do hard things and G-d will bring difficult things your way. This is not to punish us – but to help us grow in faith and trust. This means G-d is worthy of our trust and he loves us all dearly. Today your heavenly Father reaches down to you and says: “I know you don’t understand all that you face, but remember, I love you. Trust me and you will find peace that can be found no other way.” (David Tripp)

Pastor Dave