April 13, 2014 Matthew 21:1-11
Sunday
of the Passion Isaiah
50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Matthew 26:14—27:66
or Matthew 27:11-54
“Hosanna in the highest heaven” (Matthew 21:9)
“Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:23)
It is
this contradictory cries that most confront me every Palm Sunday. As we move from that glorious welcome of
Jesus into Jerusalem to the harsh treatment of the one who was once hailed, I
am shaken again by their reactions.
Yet,
how often do we see this in today’s world?
Maybe with not the same kind of lasting or powerful effect, but it is
nonetheless here. From those on the
public stage – be they athletes, entertainers, or politicians to those with
whom we live daily - even our family, friends or neighbors. When have you seen or experienced this kind
of changed behavior or reaction to another person? Was it when they did not fulfill a
promise? Broke a trust? Failed their task? Hurt us?
Or something else?
Jesus
continued to be who he promised to be.
He came to fulfill his purpose in revealed both the depth of God’s love
for us as well as how that same love can overcome the power of sin and death in
our world. He endured the brutality of
this world on his body that we might see with our own eyes the strength of God.
Our
cries may fluctuate, but it is the steadfastness of Christ that is lifted up
this day. In our wavering, we see the
certainty of God. It is not our words
that we cling to this day, but the Word made flesh.
Prayer:
God of steadfast love, be with us as we watch from the sidelines this journey
of grace. As we trace your steps, may we
look to you as the One who never wavers from his love for the world. We pray this in the name of the Christ, the
crucified and risen one. Amen.
Pastor
Jennifer Boyd
No comments:
Post a Comment