March 25, 2024

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15–17)

“You are never not loving. It’s in the very fiber of your being. It’s the way God carefully constructed you. Why did he hardwire you to love? Why is this such an essential part of who you are? God created you with this capacity so that you would have what you need to live in a deeply loving, heart-controlling, motivation-producing, worship-initiating, joy-stimulating relationship with him. Your capacity to love was created for him.” (“New Morning Mercies”, March 28; Paul David Tripp)

What is it you love most? What food do you love most? What television show do you love most? We spend so much energy running from thing to thing, hoping we will soon find something else that we love. We’re all spiritually promiscuous, running from one thing we love to another thing we love – and soon find ourselves forgetting to love the one thing that matters most — God. We’re all spiritual adulterers, giving away our love in prodigal ways.

But the one thing G-d does not want us to completely fall in love with is our time on this earth. We are called to be in the world, but not of the world. We are to love the people and the planet, but not love them so much we forget about our love for G-d. Our capacity to love was created for the creator, not the creation only.

Pastor Dave

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