Palm Sunday

However, we all know good and well that will not be the case. Why? Is it because we just don’t know the story? Or is it simply because we need our heads examined?

Well I can’t do anything about your heads, but I can do something about the story part.

Jesus has just spent the better part of 3 years teaching through words and action what the Kingdom of God should look like—where the sick are healed, bones are mended, demons are driven out, hungry crowds are fed, forgiveness is offered to the unforgivable, love is shown to the unlovable and the dead are raised. And now today this king on a donkey rides into Jerusalem knowingly riding to his death.

This coming Thursday, we celebrate this Lamb of God giving us a new commandment—that what Maundy means in Latin—a new command. To love God and love one another, sharing with us his body, his blood, washing his disciple’s feet, so you and I may be willing and able to continue the work of Jesus in the world, sharing what the Kingdom of God should look like, now through our words and action.

Yet on this very same night, Jesus is betrayed by his own disciple for 30 pieces of silver. Denied by his closest friend. Abandoned by every one of his followers. He is dragged away as a criminal for committing no crime. This silent innocent king stands in front of earthly powers where he is beaten, spat upon, and found guilty.

Then on Good Friday the Son of God will have a crown of thrones placed on his head, nails driven into his hands and feet and crucified—executed for me—for you!

You see, if we truly owned this passionate story in our hearts and minds it would not only have to make a huge difference in our lives, but in the world.

So one must conclude that either we don’t know, don’t believe the story, or by golly we simply need our heads examined.

A few years back in Jasper, I had a young woman come and see me out of blue. This poor person was having the life beat out of her. Both her and her husband worked at the same place and lost their jobs. They were fighting like crazy. The banks were threatening to take away the cars and home. Her son was in an automobile accident and in danger of losing a leg. The poor thing was at wits end.

We went into the sanctuary and prayed. I told her about the hope God gives in hopeless situations. I gave her some information about the church. I went and visited her son. Every Sunday she came faithfully to worship—for about a month. One particular day, I saw her in Walmart.

I had not seen her at church for a few weeks and so I asked her how things were going. She claimed everything thing was all better now. Both her and her husband were rehired at the company, her relationship with her husband had improved, and her son was doing just fine on his two legs.

Then she said something that no longer shocks me. She said, “You probably won’t be seeing me a church anymore. I don’t know what I was thinking. Maybe I was just worrying too much. After all things just have a way of working themselves out. Right pastor?”