Palm Sunday
This Sunday is Palm Sunday! This is a very important Sunday in the church. We celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The children of the church reenact the procession into Jerusalem waving palm branches and singing. Together we celebrate the beginning of Holy Week. Ironically, Holy week ends on a much darker note. The sun sets on Saturday with Jesus in the tomb.
A dramatic series of events make up Holy Week. The entry into Jerusalem, the clearing of the temple, the washing of feet, the Last Supper, the betrayal of Judas, the arrest at Gethsemane, the mock trial, the crown of thorns, the crucifixion, and finally the burial. That’s a busy week. It amazes me still how a week that began with crowds cheering for Jesus can end so tragically.
Thursday of Holy week is the day we remember the suffering of Christ. We call the service Maundy Thursday. I invite you to be there for this service. Easter Sunday is a shallow, empty shell of a celebration if we don’t remember why we celebrate. There is too much suffering in this world. We often forget that God is intimately acquainted with suffering. Easter is more than pretty dresses and baskets of candy. It’s so much more.
See you Sunday! (and Thursday)
Missy