|
And when Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. “Who is this,” they asked? The crowds answered, “It’s the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matt 21:10 (CEB)
It’s Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, a time of worship, meditation, refreshing our commitment to walk with Christ. It weighs heavily on us that we can’t come together for traditional worship. We aren’t receiving Sunday’s palms. We aren’t coming to the Lord’s Table to share in the symbolic “Last Supper”. Why is God allowing this — why would He? Should I say it? Why is God allowing the world to take our spiritual traditions away? Why would He keep families and friends apart during EASTER?
Is that what has happened?
In Matthew 21:1-11 and in Mark 11:1-11 you can read the story of Jesus coming into Jerusalem — the disciples bring a donkey to Jesus, the crowds cheering, shouting Hallelujah. Verse 10 in Matthew is not in Mark’s story. The whole city was stirred up and asking, “Who is this?” The crowd had an answer, “It’s the prophet Jesus.”
Our whole world is stirred up and we’re asking, “What is this?” What is our answer? Psalm 46:1 - “God is our refuge and strength, a great help in times of distress.” Psalm 46:10 - “Be still and know that I am God.” Our spiritual traditions are alive and healthy. Do we need to have a palm to believe that our Savior was willing to walk the path to His crucifixion for us? Do we need to have a traditional brunch or dinner to celebrate our living Savior? No, let us walk with Him and talk within . . . in the garden.
Be safe. Be one in Christ Jesus.
Pastor Dorothy Hotchkiss of Webster’s Crossing UMC and Groveland Federated Parish.
dhotch2@frontiernet.net 585/406-7030 cell/text
|