For the week of March 24 – Palm Sunday
Morning prayer: God of the cross, tottering down the streets of Jerusalem on a donkey, You are not the savior we expect. Your power doesn’t look like the power we want our God to demonstrate. Your wisdom makes no sense to us. We are happy to join the crowd, waving branches, but not so sure we want to follow You into the temple courts, into the upper room, into the Garden of Gethsemane … to the foot of the cross. Forgive our false assumptions. Clarify our clouded vision. Let us relax into Your love and Your grace. Hosanna! Hosanna! Save us, we beseech You!
Written by Joanna Harader on her Spacious Faith blog, http://spaciousfaith.com/. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/02/prayer-god-of-foolish-cross.html.
Opening Hymn #278 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
- Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang,
through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang.
To Jesus, who had blessed them close folded to His breast,
the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best. - From Olivet they followed mid an exultant crowd,
the victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud.
The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state,
nor scorned that little children should on His bidding wait. - "Hosanna in the highest!" that ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven our King.
O may we ever praise Him with heart and life and voice,
and in His blissful presence eternally rejoice!
Philippians 2:5-11
5 Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus:
6 Though He was in the form of God,
He did not consider being equal with God something to exploit.
7 But He emptied Himself
by taking the form of a slave
and by becoming like human beings.
When He found Himself in the form of a human,
8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God highly honored Him
and gave Him a name above all names,
10 so that at the name of Jesus everyone
in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow
11 and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Children’s Time GOLD 1 Peter 1:6-8
In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
Children’s Message
We have arrived on the last Sunday of Lent and the color is gold. Gold is mentioned over 545 times in the scriptures. That is because it is precious and valuable. Gold was an integral component of the Tabernacle. The embroidery was to have gold thread and the poles that held the Tabernacle were to be gilded with gold. The Ark of the Covenant – the special chest made to hold the tablets of the covenant, Aaron’s staff, and a gold pot containing manna – was to be overlaid with gold.
Gold has always been valued and up until August of 1971 our own US dollar was backed by gold. Gold symbolizes divinity because it cannot rust, corrode, or tarnish. It is nearly impossible to destroy gold short of a nuclear reaction.
When gold is mined from the ground, it has impurities in it. These are removed by melting the gold and burning off the impurities. The refiner knows the gold is pure when he/she can see their reflection in the gold. So when Peter talks to us about being tested as gold is tested, the reflection that will be seen in us after our trials, will be the face of God.
Prayers of Intercession: Thank You, Lord, for hearing our prayers for those dear to our hearts. We now pray as You have taught us: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us, not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Offering spotlight: Remember the two Lenten challenges: Give “30 Pieces of Silver” to finance building a bathhouse for Withrow University College. Pray for the administrators, staff and students of Withrow University College and our scholarship students: Emmanuella and Ebenezer.
Thank you for giving your offering to LUMC. Thank you for doing ministry with us.
Offering prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, as we bring our gifts and lay them at Your altar, we remember the crowds in Jerusalem who laid their cloaks on the road, shouting “Hosanna” as Jesus passed. We know they were looking for a Messiah who was different from who You sent Jesus to be – not one of political power and military might, but one who came in compassion and mercy to heal, love, and save. Search our hearts that we might be confident that the Messiah for whom we long is the one You know we need – Jesus Christ, Your anointed one, in whose name we pray. Amen. (Discipleship Ministries)
Hymn of Preparation: #277 Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
- Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;
things I would ask Him to tell me if He were here:
scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea, stories of Jesus, tell them to me. - First let me hear how the children stood round His knee,
and I shall fancy His blessing resting on me;
words full of kindness, deeds full of grace, all in the lovelight of Jesus' face. - Into the city I'd follow the children's band,
waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand;
one of His heralds, yes, I would sing loudest hosannas, "Jesus is King!"
Message Scripture: Mark 11:1-11
11 When Jesus and His followers approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives. Jesus gave two disciples a task, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter it, you will find tied up there a colt that no one has ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘Its master needs it, and He will send it back right away.’”
4 They went and found a colt tied to a gate outside on the street, and they untied it. 5 Some people standing around said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 They told them just what Jesus said, and they left them alone. 7 They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes upon it, and He sat on it. 8 Many people spread out their clothes on the road while others spread branches cut from the fields. 9 Those in front of Him and those following were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord![a] 10 Blessings on the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest!” 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. After He looked around at everything, because it was already late in the evening, He returned to Bethany with the Twelve.
Message: The Parade Rev. Ron
There is a time-honored story about a little boy who was sick. It was Palm Sunday and the children waved palm branches to open the worship service. But this young boy had to stay home from church with his mother. His father returned from church holding a palm branch. The boy was curious and asked, “Why do we wave palm branches on Palm Sunday, Dad, and why do we call it Palm Sunday?” “You see,” his dad explained, “when Jesus came into town, everyone waved palm branches to honor Him. So, we got palm branches in the worship service today.” The little boy, looked at his father, with tears in his eyes and said, “The one Sunday I miss is the Sunday that Jesus shows up.”
I am confident that Jesus will show up today, even though we will not be able to welcome Him with quite the excitement of that crowd over 2,000 years ago. Someone has compared the reception Jesus received to a ticker-tape parade in New York City honoring heroes and celebrities. The greatest honor that the City of New York can bestow upon an individual or a collection of individuals, like a championship sports team, is to throw a ticker-tape parade.
Since the first parade in 1886, when the Statue of Liberty was dedicated, over two hundred of these celebrations have taken place.
For a few moments this morning, I want you to imagine the exhilaration of a ticker-tape parade on a much smaller scale in Jerusalem around the year 30 A.D. Imagine the excitement and merriment that surrounds this occasion. Jesus is coming to town. Some say He is a great teacher. Others, a great healer. Still others say He’s the Messiah, who came to lead the people of Judea against the awesome might of Rome. In your mind’s eye visualize that scene. Let your ears be filled with the beautiful, synchronized sound to “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Our minds will become encumbered with many somber and disturbing events if we let them wander beyond this day to the events of Holy Week. So, for a few moments, let’s bask in this time of victory and glorious expectation that is Palm Sunday. The writers of the four gospels allowed themselves that luxury. The account of Palm Sunday is one of the few events in the New Testament that is recorded in all four gospels. Details vary slightly, as they always will when eyewitness accounts are the basis for reporting, but the major details remain intact. As we visualize this momentous event, I want you to focus on three things:
The way Jesus entered the Holy City.
The reaction of the crowds to His coming.
And finally, its meaning for us.
First, of all, notice how Jesus entered the Holy City. It was time for the Passover celebration. The Passover was one of the three feasts that Jews were supposed to attend in Jerusalem. As a result, the population of Jerusalem swelled immensely. As a good Jew, Jesus was coming to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover with His disciples. In preparation Jesus did something quite unusual. He instructed His disciples to go into the city and borrow a young donkey upon which He would ride as He entered Jerusalem. He also equipped them with a response in the event that they were questioned about taking the animal. They were to say, “Its master needs it, and He will send it back right away.” (11:3) I find that interesting. Jesus and His followers had probably come by foot all the way from Galilee. But now, for the last two miles Jesus decided to ride a donkey. This was obviously to fulfill the prophecy found in Zachariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
So, without questioning the Master’s request, the disciples did as they were instructed. They procured the young donkey just as the Master had said.
After borrowing the colt, the disciples placed their cloaks on it as a saddle for their Master to commence on His journey. This manner of transportation is significant. Jesus didn’t ride in an ornate chariot or on a large and imposing horse. He rode a young donkey, a small donkey, an insignificant animal generally thought of as a beast of burden. Perhaps this was a metaphor. Because in just five days He, Himself, would take on a burden the sins of the entire world. He would be spat on, beaten, mocked, jeered, and nailed to a cross. All of that may be symbolized by this lowly beast of burden, a donkey.
Now, on the other side of Jerusalem, Pontius Pilate was entering at about the same time. He was riding a great white stallion, a symbol of war and power. Jesus rode a young donkey as a symbol of peace and humility. So, first, notice the manner in which He arrived in Jerusalem.
In the second place, notice the reaction of the crowd. Mark tells us that, as Jesus entered the Holy City, many people spread their cloaks on the road while others spread branches cut from the fields. Just to clarify, John’s Gospel is the only one that describes the type of branch as being a palm (12:13)
Victorious kings were honored in this fashion in biblical times. Many in the crowd were welcoming a king. They anticipated that He would lead an insurrection against the established order. They did not realize that His kingdom was not of this world.
While He rode into the city the crowd was shouting, “Hosanna! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” (11:9) Songwriters have done more to capture the beauty of this day than any preacher could possibly do. For many in the crowd that day, this was a moment of splendid adoration. Of course, there were cynics, just as there are today. A donkey? Peasants throwing down branches? He may as well have driven into town in a banged-up VW van from the 1960s. We prefer our royalty to arrive in a Rolls Royce or at least a Marcedes Benz. But, sisters and brothers, we must understand that the values of this world are not the values of Christ’s kingdom.
This type of worship reminds us of the fickleness of human beings and how often we straddle the fence. We see Jesus being worshipped here by the crowds, but in a few days these same people who are singing “Hosanna” will be shouting “Crucify Him.” Not everyone who sings praises to Christ can be counted on when the going gets tough. The people were in a celebratory mood here, but when tough decisions were being made, such as choosing Jesus or Barabbas, the crowds would forget that just a few days prior they were hailing Jesus as their King. Not even those who seemed to be the closest to Jesus remained faithful when the crowds turned on Him. One denied Him; one betrayed Him with a kiss; and the rest deserted Him.
Of course, some people were there out of curiosity. They were just following the crowd. They saw the excitement and wondered what was going on and they just started shouting like the others. Writer Eric Hoffer once commented: “When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other.” Just look around today and you will see that it’s true.
The same thing happens with churches. Some people are attracted to a church because their friends are there. Nothing wrong with that; it’s a great first step. People come to worship for a variety of reasons. Some of us come with a sincere desire to know God’s will for our life. Others are still seeking a workable faith. Still others come because their family expects it. If I were to ask you today why you are here, what would your answer be?
In Matthew 16:15-17, Jesus questioned His disciples. He asked them, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven!”
Jesus did not want Peter and the other disciples to believe He was the Son of God simply because He said so. He wanted God to bring them to this conclusion, based on their experience with Him. Sisters and brothers, if you are still uncertain about who Jesus is, this is a great place for you to be. Walk with Christ for a while and see for yourself.
That brings me to the last thing I want you to see this morning. What does Palm Sunday mean for us? More than four decades ago, Beatle superstar John Lennon caused a worldwide storm. Some of you know what I’m referring to. In an interview Lennon claimed that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. It was obvious at that time that the Beatles weren’t singing, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Now after all these years, the Beatles former drummer Ringo Star says he found God after taking a long and winding road. He admitted he lost his way when he was younger. Starr, who recently turned eighty-three, said: “I feel the older I get, the more I’m learning to handle life. Being on this quest for a long time, it’s all about finding yourself. For me, God is my life. I don’t hide from that. I think the search has been on since the 1960s. I stepped off the path there for many years and found my way back onto it, thank God.” By the way Starr wasn’t speaking at a church when he made this confession. He was speaking at the Grammy Awards Museum in Los Angeles.
The Bible teaches us that there will come a time when God will reign in every heart. There will come a time when every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God. Palm Sunday pre-figures that grand event. Looking at the four Gospel accounts together, it becomes clear that the triumphal entry into Jerusalem was a significant event, not only to those who were there to witness it, but to Christians throughout history. We celebrate Palm Sunday to remember that momentous occasion.
More than a thousand years ago, an Italian bishop named Theodulph, was a prisoner in France. From his jail cell, he wrote a poem that Christians have been singing ever since to remember the day Jesus entered Jerusalem. Maybe you will recognize it. It goes like this:
“All glory, laud, and honor, to Thee, Redeemer King!
To whom the lips of children made sweet Hosannas ring!
Thou art the king of Israel, Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name comest, the King and blessed One.”
He is our Redeemer King. He deserves our allegiance. He deserves our all.
Closing Hymn: #280 All Glory, Laud and Honor
Refrain: All glory, laud, and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
- Thou art the King of Israel, Thou David's royal Son,
who in the Lord's name comest, the King and Blessed One. (Refrain) - The company of angels are praising Thee on high,
and we with all creation in chorus make reply. (Refrain) - The people of the Hebrews with psalms before Thee went;
our prayer and praise and anthems before Thee we present. (Refrain) - To Thee, before Thy passion, they sang their hymns of praise;
to Thee, now high exalted, our melody we raise. (Refrain) - Thou didst accept their praises; accept the prayers we bring,
who in all good delightest, thou good and gracious King. (Refrain)
Go into your week with the blessings of The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit.
