Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Today begins Jesus’ journey
to the cross. I want you to get comfy for a few minutes and travel back with me
to early Jerusalem… picture yourself an early follower of Christ. You have
heard His words, seen Him heal the sick and love the poor. You are inspired!
Today, you know, is special. You are in Jerusalem and there is excitement in
the air! You wave palms and join in the crowd shouting Hosanna! You catch a
glimpse of Jesus riding a young colt, riding triumphantly into the front door
of Jerusalem. You feel such joy! You go to bed that night warm in the joy and
love of Jesus.
A little while later, you
feel dread in the air. You hear rumors of a trial. “Can it be true? Jesus, a
criminal? You go to where such trials are held and you catch a glimpse of
Pilate saying some words but you do not quite hear. The crowd around you is
shouting “Crucify Him!” You start to feel conflicted… Do you go with the crowd
in condemning Jesus or do you defend Him, possibly with your life?
Take some time today and
think about this when we read the Passion today and on Good Friday. Put
yourself in the crowd, asking the same questions as the early followers of
Christ. We, in this century, have the benefit of knowing Christ was resurrected
three days after His death and we know that all of this had to occur so that
God’s plan of salvation for us could happen and death would be no more.
In our lives very often we
face tragedy. We feel deeply our own pain and the suffering of others. But so
often there is joy to come after the suffering. God flooded the earth and gave
us the rainbow, a symbol of hope and joy. On the Cross, the Father gave us his
Son’s life- a sign of his everlasting love. Look for joy, hope, and love in
every sadness--- this is our Lord’s desire for us in the Easter season.
God Bless, Holly Clark
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