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So, at the moment is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. I’m wondering what you may be considering of? The palm crosses, which is able to grow to be the ash for subsequent Ash Wednesday? The air of celebration, or a way of foreboding for that’s to return? Joyous processions you might have seen, maybe with excited kids?
It could shock you, however on Palm Sunday I all the time have 4 processions in thoughts, every of which have various things to say. The primary is the procession of the Ark into Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 6. The Ark was the tangible image of the presence of God, and as it’s introduced into town after a protracted absence, David worships, dancing with jubilant celebration. When he returns dwelling although, his spouse Michal, who has watched from a window, reduce off from the celebration, is appalled. She was the daughter of Saul, a royal princess, so maybe she is anxious for his dignity as king. Definitely, her life had been tragic – handed round like a pawn from individual to individual though she cherished David and had saved his life. This unhappy story jogs my memory that at occasions, in our heartbreak or our lack of awareness, it may be arduous for us to hitch in celebratory worship. Maybe that shall be your expertise at the moment. In that case, my prayer is that you’ll know that God understands.
The second procession brings us again to the occasions we have fun at the moment, however not but to Jesus on a donkey. We all know from historians that two parades passed off that day. Passover was an enormous occasion, and so underneath the oppression of Roman rule, it was all the time a dangerous time, the place rebellions could possibly be simply sparked. So on the primary day of Passover Pilate paraded into Jerusalem, coming into the west gate – the entrance gate – driving a warfare horse and with legions of chariots, horses, and foot troopers, dressed for battle and armed with swords and spears. The message was clear. Don’t even consider developing towards the would possibly of Rome. Our world continues to be dominated by the ability of pressure and we shall be very conscious of locations the place battle continues to rage this season.
It’s due to this fact extremely vital and in stark distinction that on the similar time, Jesus enters Jerusalem from the opposite aspect, the east, on a donkey. Kings rode horses at warfare, donkeys in occasions of peace. As well as, Jesus, who had all the time travelled on foot, was fairly intentionally fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. It’s a clear assertion: I’m your true king, and of a really completely different type. When rebuked by the Pharisees (maybe afraid of the Roman response) for the raucous nature of what was taking place, Jesus replies merely that if others are quiet, the very stones would cry out. (Luke 19:40) In an echo of the primary procession, the bodily presence of God, the one who created every little thing, is delivered to Jerusalem, on the day that the lambs had been chosen for sacrifice. It’s an occasion of profound significance.
Which brings me to the fourth procession. Simply 5 days later, Jesus will once more stroll the streets of Jerusalem, this time not being carried, however staggering underneath the load of a cross, trying defeated, unhappy and worn – so very completely different from the celebration such a short while earlier than.
And but Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus ‘for the enjoyment that was set earlier than him he endured the cross, scorning its disgrace, and sat down on the proper hand of the throne of God.’ What was the enjoyment set earlier than him? Returning to the complete presence of the Father and Spirit, his activity full? Little question, however I feel there was extra. I feel we had been the enjoyment set earlier than him. The prospect of bringing us wayward kids dwelling. You, and I, stored hm strolling that day because the crowds jeered and wept.
So this Palm Sunday, maybe take a second to recollect all 4 of these processions, however most of all, breathe a quiet thanks.
Godspacelight Neighborhood Cookbook
The Godspacelight Neighborhood Cookbook is certainly a group cookbook with recipes created by readers, authors, and associates of Godspacelight. Our group spans the world, so we requested for recipes that reveal the completely different cultures and traditions we come from. Contributors from the U.S., Canada, Australia, the U.Okay., Norway, Malta and South Africa offered not solely recipes but in addition plenty of enjoyable tales and anecdotes to go together with their recipes. These tales are inspiring to learn as they offer us insights each into the contributors’ lives and their cultures. And the recipes themselves are scrumptious to make.
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