Sunday, April 1, 2012

Palm Sunday and Easter week!!

NOTE: This is basically a replay of Sunday School class this morning.  Hope you enjoy!!

Happy Palm Sunday everyone!!!

I think we often misunderstand the importance of this day when I say that.  I mean, sure, Jesus walked into a city with leaves in front of him.  Cool.

No.  That's not the full details of the story.  In fact, this whole week 2000 years ago was just the prologue to the main story that's happening now.


Please read the following story behind Palm Sunday and reflect on it as you read my thoughts below it:


Mark 11

The Triumphal Entry
 1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
 4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
   “Hosanna![a]
   “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]
 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
   “Hosanna in the highest!”



These people were oppressed, having lost all family members, land, house and possessions all taken away from them.  They had, literally, nothing left, and were at the mercy of Rome.  When you hear Jesus is coming to town, (oh, yeah, he's kinda like the Messiah and Savior that's going to rescue them and save them from the Roman Empire), you take it seriously: like dancing in circles and shouting at the top of your lungs "Hosanna!!! Blessed is Jesus!!" and letting everyone hear it.  You take your cloak, (which is your shelter and warmth at night, protection from the sun, and your only possession left) and lay it down for a donkey to ride on.  You grab palm leaves and wave them to praise him, singing, shouting, so excited that your deliverer is here!   Your redeemer IS here: the humble king riding on a donkey.  This also says something: What does a great king ride on?  Probably a stallion, or in a carriage, or with people carrying him.  Never on a donkey.  Hmmm.

Now when I say this, it may have a different meaning:

Happy Palm Sunday, everyone!!


I think this week is very important.  I mean, like better than christmas.  But I thought nothing of it until hearing my youth minister talk about it and see how important this week really is, and also taught pretty much the same lesson (as in, my information and thoughts were taken/inspired from/ by him.  Thanks Scott! :)  I want to walk through this week with you, and post daily to tell you of what happened on this day 2000 years ago to lead up to the resurrection.  And yes, most of my notes will be from Scott and his awesome class.  But technically, its not from him.  Its from God, and he spoke through Scott to me and now (hopefully) to you.



Let me know what you think if you like :)

And get ready for monday.


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