March 16, 2008> 3:47 PM
palm sunday > whom were they cheering for? Palm Sunday or Passion Sundaytoday. We stood for a long time at Mass today, hearing and responding within the story of His Passion. First, of course, we picked up our Palm fronds at the door - so it starts with that procession, with His procession into Jerusalem amid the cheers of her citizens.
On this day we're often encouraged to welcome Jesus as King and Messiah as they did that day, with these Palms. We even keep them, these blessed branches, in our homes, till Ash Wednesday of next year. That's fine. Certainly we should always have a welcoming heart for Jesus as our King and Savior, but taking the whole story in context, should we welcome Him - as those people did? I have always gathered the answer to that question should be - No.
For whom were they cheering? Unfortunately, we find out quickly enough, not for Whom Jesus really was and what He really came to bring. They cheered for a Messiah, for a King who wasn't real. Their joy was for the kind of Messiah that Jesus never was, never had the intention of being. He did not wear armor. He did not route the Roman oppressor. He didn't bring down those legions of Angels He spoke of, to lay waste and set the throne back up in Jerusalem. He didn't even speak up for Himself on His way to execution! What a wimp!
How He came to "save" was not quite what they were looking for. How He came to "rule" was not what they wanted. I don't hear this much around this time of year. I've said it myself, plenty. Are we missing something? Are we missing an opportunity to shine the light on Who and What Jesus really is - as well as who and what He is not? Maybe a little. Perhaps we should keep out Palm branches, sure - but when we look at them we should remember that Jesus was a little sad about they reasons for which He was welcomed that day in Jerusalem. We should remember not only to welcome Him, but to welcome Him for the right reasons, as the right Savior, as the King He came to be - and make sure we don't get mixed up.
March 16, 2008
> 3:47 PM
038
