Service of Worship for Sunday, April 05, 2020

About Sunday's Message:

 
We enter into Holy Week along with the crowds of pilgrims who flock to Jerusalem for the celebration of the Passover. Knowing the significance of this moment, Jesus chooses to make a memorable entry into the city, evoking the prophetic image of Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” In response the people do indeed shout aloud: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” This scene, often described as the “Triumphal Entry,” is often depicted as a jubilant moment in the Gospels.


But while the people spread cloaks and branches upon the road, all while lifting up their “Hosannas!” Jesus isn’t lost in the prestige of the present moment. He knows the mess that will be left behind after this parade runs its course. Though God’s people were crying out for the Lord to give them a king who would save them, it wouldn’t be long before they would reject Jesus and call for his crucifixion. Knowing this, Jesus still humbly rides on. He parades into Jerusalem not to be the king that the people want, but to be the king that the people need.
 
Psalter: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 21:1-11

Liturgy of the Passion from the Revised Common Lectionary: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Matthew 26:14-27:66; Matthew 27:11-54; Philippians 2:5-11

[shirleydixon]

May the peace of Christ be with you all.