Palm Sunday

Listen, intently, as we come here this morning because we are shaped by this story that happened in the city of Jerusalem some 2000 years ago. It is the first scene in the final drama of salvation given for all people. We learn once again that, no matter what our secular culture may tell us, the story of Jesus is still the greatest story ever told and it always will be. If you believe this, or if you think you might believe it, or if you are in any way drawn even to the possibility of believing it, then you want to be here for all that we do during Holy Week. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are times to grasp what Easter really means.

Listen, intently, as we begin this morning with the festivity of the palm procession and end with the dreadful story of the Crucifixion. No one is off the hook today. We are all participants in the crowd that shouted “Crucify him!” It cannot be said too often; those who clamored for Jesus’ death were not “the Jews.” They were us. There is a sense in which this is the most important Sunday in the church year because no other Sunday places us so squarely in the middle of the action. If you are not of faint heart look for a copy of Lovis Corinth’s depiction titled Large Martyrdom. Almost too dreadful to look at, it shows how deep God’s love for us is.

Listen, intently, to the story as it is read this morning. We are summoned to stare evil in the face. We are summoned to watch at our Lord’s side. We are invited to see what human beings can do. Find yourself in the characters of the story. Then come on Thursday evening for your feet to be washed, to sit at the table to receive the body and blood of Jesus as he asked us to remember him. It is the banquet table of this King Jesus who loves us and gives himself for us so that when we return on Friday the hour of darkness will have no power us.