Written by professors, graduates, and others in
the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary community, these reflections, prayers, and spiritual practices will take you along the journey with Jesus through the cross toward resurrection.
Palm Sunday
Sunday, March 20, 2016
“Jesus Is Our King!”
“If these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
• Luke 19:40
It was Sunday, the start of the week. Jewish families had been traveling from around the world. They arrived in Jerusalem to stay with relatives or fill the inns. Faithfully they gathered, preparing to celebrate the Passover festival in obedience to God’s commands. Singing psalms, they approached the Temple. Praying devotedly, they offered a sacrifice pleasing to God: a pure, spotless lamb. Family and friends of all ages shared the joyful Passover feast. During this ritual meal, they talked together about the meaning of each element. Passover is the Jewish people’s annual commemoration of God’s decisive victory over worldly power, when the Lord rescued them from the Egyptian Pharaoh who oppressed them in slavery long ago. Now longing filled their hearts for freedom from their pagan occupiers, the Roman Empire. They wondered, “When will God send our King to bring lasting freedom?”
Jesus knew the time had come to reveal himself as king in the line of David whose kingdom is paradoxically not (yet) of this world. His ministry of teaching, healing, and working miracles culminated there and then. Refreshed from keeping the Sabbath, Jesus was sustained by God. He told his disciples in Bethphage that all was ready. They found and got permission to use a young donkey, symbolic of peace. Located at the crest of the Mount of Olives, pilgrims could look to the Temple mount across the Kidron Valley.
How often people had marveled at this mysterious Jesus! Could he be the Messiah? Rejoicing, Jesus’ disciples threw their outer garments on the donkey. They joyfully shouted, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” (See Psalm 118:25-26.) Eagerly joining in, people pulled off their cloaks to line the way like a carpet. Others pulled off palm branches to wave and throw around like confetti in a victory parade. Visible above the crowds, Jesus processed to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah. Yes, here is our King! We love him! Praise God! Shouts of delight rang out as people welcomed Jesus. Gaining momentum, the parade passed by the Garden of Gethsemane and went into Jerusalem.
When Jesus’ procession reached the Temple, some Pharisees told Jesus to silence the celebration. But Jesus held steady. You can’t stop God’s praises. Even from seemingly lifeless rocks, God can bring forth powerful witnesses to cry out the Lord’s majesty!
Holy God, thank you for Jesus our King. Open our eyes to recognize your sovereignty in the world and in our lives. Give us patience and courage to serve you with faith and joy until Christ returns and your reign is established forever. Amen.
– The Reverend Rosanna Anderson
Associate Director of Stewardship Ministries,
Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church,
Nashville, Tennessee
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For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a seminary in the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip individuals for the ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership; to employ its resources in the service of the church; to promote and engage in critical theological thought and research; and to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.
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