I love the exercise of doing something again. I like to read the same great books, over and over. I like to watch the same TV shows, or watch the same movies, and mine them for new gems. I’ve been re-reading all of Jane Austen’s novels over the past few years, and every book has been a delight. If books are prisms, then each new season of life has me looking through a different side, seeing how old and new insights bounce off of each other like light, making the experience richer and brighter each time I read.
Sometimes, reading Scripture is like that, especially reading beloved passages like the one today from Luke 19. Perhaps this is your first time ever reading the story of Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, kicking off the final series of events before His death. Perhaps you’ve read it dozens of times, and as you read it this morning your eyes skimmed over it, connecting only with the keywords you know to expect.
Because Scripture is a means of grace, it reads us as much as we read it. Like a prism, it catches light no matter when we look at it, and illuminates something deeper and richer. Scripture is living and active, which means that if we approach it with prayer, the Holy Spirit will guide us, and it will always reveal something to us.
I can imagine the cries of the crowd who cheered for Jesus were staccato: sharp, loud, joyful, full of passion, short. “Blessed is the King!” they yelled, throwing their garments on the ground for His donkey to walk over. Not long after, the crowds would cry something different: “Crucify Him!”
But it seems that Jesus gave a legato response to the crowd: long notes, connected to a deeper understanding of His purpose. His statements reference the Old Testament: “the stones will cry out” from Habakkuk 2; and “For the days will come on you when your enemies will build a barricade around you, surround you, and hem you in on every side” (Luke 19:43), from Isaiah 29, Jeremiah 6, and Ezekiel 4.
Jesus’s statement, “If you knew this day what would bring peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes” resounds with wisdom and sadness (Luke 19:42). He was speaking to Jerusalem, the city He loved. He was speaking to the crowds who cheered Him and the Pharisees who challenged Him. He spoke with authority, which would quickly be followed up with anger when He cleansed the temple.
Lent, Holy Week, and Easter are a symphony, full of staccato celebration and legato mourning. We cheer, we cry. We celebrate, we abstain. We experience the fullness of life, death, and hope everlasting. We are Easter people, but we have the whole of the story in our bones. And every time we read it, we feel it more and deeper: the pain, the joy, and the glorious hope.
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49 thoughts on "Palm Sunday"
Amen
For Brenda Langdon: on your computer go to http://www.shereadstruth.com and both in the menu on your left upper side and in the right upper corner you can click on ‘shop’
Love the “Symphony of Holy Week”! Such a beautiful way to put it.
Happy Palm Sunday sisters in Christ! While it is certainly different to worship at home instead of at church, we try our best each Sunday. We watch a YouTube sermon by our pastor and then sing along to worship songs and hymns on YouTube. This morning I also played part of the SRT podcast where Sally Lloyd Jones read The servant King from her Jesus Story Bible. Love how she describes Jesus’ love for us by his choice of gong to the cross! And as we sang songs this morning my oldest daughter requested Beautifully Broken by Plumb (praise be to God for making me while again!), and my youngest daughter requested Raise a Hallelujah by Bethel music, such an awesome reminder to praise God no matter what you are going through, especially in the darkness of this virus! So thankful to God for the ability we have to still connect with technology and worship him even when going to a physical church building is not an option. And for the continued health of my family and friends, the beautiful spring weather we are having, and the peace I can have in him even in uncertain times. My prayers are with you all as we enter Holy Week, that you would feel God close to you this week, his great love and mercy alive in the scriptures we will be reading together!
So encouraged by today’s passages and your comments as well. As I read through everyone’s thoughts and reflections, I couldn’t help but think that the Holy Spirit is moving among us! Just as the stones are compelled to cry out, I feel like the Word stirred everyone to worship today. Thankful that we can behold our King together today.
After reading about God’s just judgment in Jeremiah, it’s really beautiful to see Jesus weep for his people. He is never stingy with mercy and grace (like we so often are). He so longs to see us redeemed and made right with Him. When I think about Christ’s heart toward us in this way and the lengths he goes to save us, it’s so amazing and I know that He’s worthy of my life.
That hope is something I need right now. I need to remember God has a reason for everything and a purpose for everything. It was hard enough with all this COVID-19 isolating and stuff. Now my niece was taken from our family a few days before her 36th birthday. I look to Heaven and ask why. I know He has a reason for everything and I will find out in His time not my time, (my late father would remind me of that all the after my son’s death) but it’s hard to understand and wait especially since my sister just lost her husband in October a few days before his birthday. So God, I will wait and let You tell why in Your time and meanwhile I will be there for my sister to help her through it.
I didn’t read my SRT study yesterday, but read it this morning and my heart aches for you, your sister, and your family. How much pain your sister has had to face. It’s hard not to ask why when death comes too early and multiple times. I will be holding you and your family in prayer. Asking the God of heaven and earth to give you His peace that surpasses understanding. Great is His faithfulness.
I’m so sorry Dorothy.
Insure wish the app wouldn’t cut off the devotional. I often miss the last few statements.
As a child growing up in the Catholic Church we were all give a palm branch on this day. And as read this, this morning that memory came to my mind. I didn’t understand back then what that meant. But as I read this today I’m thankful for that memory as it prepares us as what’s to come. And though we will not be in our churches, I’m comforted and full of Joy that WE will all be celebrating “together” in our homes!
Thank you Churchmouse for you words and insight. I stopped in my reading at, “ you did not recognize the time when God visited you”. What!? Wait! Where? I went back and reread our passages today, and there it was! I have read this passage so many times my minds eye went right over that phrase, “ you did not recognize the time when God visited you”. There, right there in front of me. Oh Jesus Lord forgive me. I say I watch for you, but even when I read your Word I look right over you. I am putting these words around me so that not only do my eyes see them, but my heart stops to look.
Please pray for my sister and nephew and my family, as I mentioned yesterday, my niece died in a car accident Friday night and today would have been her birthday.
Praying right now
Oh my. Praying that God will comfort you during this most difficult time.
Praying for you and your family, Dorothy. I’m so, so sorry for your loss.
Prayed just now. May God give you and your family peace and may you feel him wrap you in his loving arms ❤️
This is a question on how this works. How do I go about ordering a book for these studies. Is there a particular site I go to? I am not very good technologically. It was a God thing that allowed me to find you all and at perfect timing I don’t post stuff but I’ve been with you all for a couple of months before this virus hit. God knew I needed this because no church and no women bible study group to go to. So great to see your posts and hear faith mercy and grace shown to us daily. Please tell me as simply as you can how I order the book for the next study.
On the “Homepage” on the app.
Thank you so much
Today as I walked I thought of Jesus listening to the crowds cheering,knowing but only a few days later they would turn on him and feel alone, my heart felt sad. Then I thought again how so many of us feel alone during this time, but we aren’t alone, Jesus took this walk for us! So we wouldn’t be alone. Hallelujah we are never alone, He is with us!
Remember to Praise and Thank God today and everyday! SRT is a true blessing.
The words that stood out to me were “ I tell you this day if they were to keep silent the rocks would cry out” . To me it speaks to how great the glory of the lord is how his beauty and majesty is withheld from nothing in the universe.
I was also struck by “ If you knew this day what would bring peace but now it is hidden from your eyes”. I will continue to pray everyday that I never fail to see what would bring me peace.
Reading these passages stirs up the very emotions Melanie writes of: pain, joy, sorrow, celebration with glorious hope. It’s all there in me, yet, at times one or two will be at a greater intensity than the others. Our present struggle does give opportunity for the pain and sorrow to be in the forefront. Oh how good it is to be reminded that we can cry out “Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!” And as we pray for deliverance, may our hearts also be grateful and hopeful along with the psalmist as we say, “You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; your are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Easter is coming!! Whether we are in church buildings or at home, the tomb will forever be empty!
Just as in Jesus’s day, so many are looking to worldly means to provide security and hope. Oh Lord, please open the eyes of the blind and draw hearts to Yourself this Easter week! Lord, awaken the church and bring a mighty movement of Your Spirit across this nation and the world!
Amen!
My husband is a youth pastor and every summer we take our senior high students to WorkCamp. It’s a week of coming together with about 400 other students from all over the country to work on homes. We are out in crews of 6 people that we do not know and sent into the community. It is a great week
As a part of the week there is a worship service every night. As part of the worship service we are given the opportunity to share “God Sightings” – was that we have seen God during our day. Some of them are incredibly profound and mind blowing, but most of them are simple and ordinary: someone in the crew with the exact tool needed to do a job, someone from the community showing up with popsicles, a hug, pat in the back, “I’m so glad you’re here.”
When I read the verse in Luke, “…you did not recognize the time when God visited you.” I thought of God Sightings. My prayer is that this week I will be on the lookout for God Sightings and then share them with those around me.
I love that we have the whole story in our bones. This is also one of the few times a year that we know everyone is hearing the same message and focusing on the same scripture. Even now in our homes the Church as a whole is celebrating Palm Sunday together. Hosanna, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
So beautifully put — and I had a similar conviction as I read this morning. Our pastor did a Facebook live last night and said, “if we don’t come out of this time closer to God, then shame on us.” I think you summed that up so well. This is a time to dig into His word, to let the Holy Spirit convict, and as you said, “to recognize Him and show Him hospitality.” Thank you for sharing these thoughts. What a wonderful message to take into Holy Week.
Beautiful
What peace would be afforded us if we would stay focused on Him.?
They didn’t know their visitation, or we any better off?
What faith we would have in Him if ministers of the Gospel would continuously preach Him and Him crucified?
Grace and peace is multiplied to us through the knowledge of Him.
Yes, many now are focused on the virus and the statistics of the many cases and the many deaths from it. But know this, death comes to all. It came to Him a week after Palm Sunday but He stayed focused on what He came to do. If death comes through this, let us be mindful that there is a resurrection for us. Jesus says to His, fear not .
As we enter Easter week, knowing His glorious story of persecution, death & RESURRECTION, so we wait with eager anticipation for Christ to come again! Oh, the hope of glory, of eternal life…
After the long gray of Jeremiah, the pop of color that comes with Palm Sunday (I see it in the artwork today in the study guide) is much appreciated. As I read the Scriptures I note all the various emotions. Determination. Anticipation. Joy. Consternation (that would be the Pharisees). Sadness. Yes, so many emotions. What stopped me in my tracks and in my feelings were these words of Jesus: “… you did not recognize the time when God visited you.” Jesus had walked along them for 33 years, yet many had not grasped Who He was and why He was there. He was the fulfillment of all they had hoped for. And they did not recognize Him.
How often have I failed to recognize Him? Have I been so busy I’ve overlooked His presence? How often have I said perfunctory prayers rather than abiding with Him? In this season of confinement, are my eyes on my circumstances more than on His face? Am I focused on pandemic statistics for my city more than I’m reading and trusting His Word? I cannot blame busyness. Sigh. Let me use this time wisely. Let me pay attention. Let me give Him my attention. Surely He is right here, visiting me, visiting you. Let us recognize Him and show Him hospitality. We have the time.
You said it aptly. We have no excuse. What will we do with our time? The people shouted for joy not knowing what was to come and what it would mean. They did not connect the messiah riding on a donkey to the scripture they knew. Let’s not miss this!!! God is on the move. He is present. He is real. He is calling. He is good! He is God! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!!
Thank you Churchmouse! Your words reflect exactly what I have been thinking, but couldn’t say as eloquently.
Wow. What a word!
Agreed—Let this time be an opportunity to cherish God’s presence in our lives. Let us witness his love in the actions of our neighbors; they may be strangers, but we are all part of the body of Christ.
Thank you for those reflections Churchmouse. They speak to my heart too.
Amen!
I also struggled through Jeremiah at times but am thankful for the faithful obedience of God’s servants then and now.
I am walking through this Holy week with anticipation and longing- especially after a visit to Israel last May and seeing where all of these events took place-it makes it even more vivid picturing the places.
Blessed holy week friends-thankful for each one of you.
I also felt like I struggled through Jeremiah, especially by the end. It felt heavy and sad. At times hard to find hope. But did that ever set the scene for today! So grateful Jesus is on the scene. I feel like the weeks in Jeremiah really prepared my heart for today and the upcoming week. I feel extra grateful for the gift of Easter and the redemption it brings. Thank you so much SRT!
Yes!! I feel the same way!!! It has really prepared my heart to weep and be grateful God sent His son to redeem us and celebrate with so much joy His resurrection!
Oh Lord guide us as we walk through the week that is ahead. Even in the dark May we hold onto the truth – that resurrection is on the horizon.
Good morning Ladies! This is my first post, however I’ve been part of the community for quite some time! Jeremiah has been a hard book to read/study, and I am so looking forward to Resurrection Sunday! Shalom! ❤️
The book of Jeremiah has been a hard book to read at times. God HAD to punish His people because of their sin! But God will not forget His promise to restore them to their homeland someday. Their time is yet to come. And what JOY there will be then.
I am also doing a study with some of my fellow church ladies on the book of Hebrews. In chapter 4 verse 12…a very familiar scripture to most of us; “For the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword….it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” As I started on my study one day this week something came into my mind and I was immediately convicted for it. I had to stop and confess and repent! Oh, the feeling of being cleansed and forgiven, such joy I experienced! Our God is a Generous, Compassionate Deliverer!I have been His child for 48 years and He is SO precious to me.
Thank you, Father for your grace and mercy. For all the blessings you shower me with, and I so undeserving. Amen.
Yes, beautifully written and has inspired me to read all the Easter story aloud with my daughter, we forget so easily!! Happy Palm Sunday xxx
Feeling God stir in my spirit in an extra special way today. After weeks of despair in the world and in Jeremiah, my joy is uncontainable for the coming of Easter!
Yes!!
Hi lovely ladies ♡ I dont know about you guys but SRT is the best way to start my day and end my night. I LOVE that prism analogy. ♡