How are you? I hope you’ve been able to meditate and reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus during this Passion Week.
As a ministry, we were able to start our reflections on Passion Week through a look at the Triumphal Entry this past Sunday.
Up to this point, we see the drama of the Gospel of John moving forward toward the cross. Earlier in chapter 12, Mary anointed Jesus for His burial. In the previous passage, the chief priests made plans to kill not just Jesus but also Lazarus whom He had raised from the dead.
But the Triumphal Entry passage was very interesting. There was a large crowd that was gathered to meet Jesus with palm branches shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”
They hoped that Jesus was the Prophesied Messiah that would save them. But they misunderstood what that meant and from what He was saving them.
They expected a political Messiah who through His miraculous power would overthrow the oppressive Roman government and make Israel into an established kingdom.
But the truth is that Jesus came not to take but to give. He came not to be served but to serve. He came not to wear a crown of gold but a crown of thorns. He came not to sit on an earthly throne but to hang on a wooden cross.
Why? It’s because the problem runs much deeper than politics or not having the earthly things you want/need. He came to redeem His people from the problem of sin. He came as the humble Suffering Servant who bore our death so that we can have life.
Then, why does He enter in Jerusalem in glory through the Triumphal Entry? It’s because He knew that this would start a chain of events which would eventually lead to His death. He entered the city on a donkey so that He would exit the city with a cross.
He did this for you and me. He did this so that we can be His people. He did this so that He can be our Savior King.
May you meditate on and embrace the blessing and the love He has poured out upon you through the cross. And may the cross be the center and foundation of your lives.
You can still join us for Early Morning Prayer for the rest of the week (Thurs (English)-Fri @5:30am, Sat @6am)! Please join us for Good Friday Worship @7:45pm! If you can help us set up, come out at 7pm and let me know!
Lastly, let us worship our God together as we remember and celebrate the resurrection of Christ this Sunday! Invite your friends and family! AND PRAY FOR IT!
In Christ,
Pastor Tim
Photo Credit: https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/palm-sunday