Palm Sunday speaks hope into the Pandemic.

For some reason, I have always loved Palm Sunday, the day that kicks off Passion Week -- the time Jesus was exalted as King on earth. This seemed to be the time that people saw who Jesus actually was. For me, it is often a more spiritual day than Easter (although not theologically so). Somehow the beauty of Easter tends to get lost for me with all the hubbub associated with it. I have often been distracted by Easter baskets and Easter brunch while worshipping on Easter Sunday. But I can focus better on Jesus as King on Palm Sunday.

Let’s look at the event in John 12:12-15 (ESV):

The Triumphal Entry: The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,

15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
    sitting on a donkey's colt!”

What took place on Palm Sunday is instructive for us now in these uncertain times. Let’s look at the different elements of this account and how they apply to hope and fear. Unlike the people in Jesus’ time, we, after the resurrection, have a more complete picture of who He is. We now know that King Jesus was victorious over death, and we can find peace in Him. 

At the time of Jesus, the palm branch was a national symbol of hope. The branches had previously been waved in Jerusalem as a symbol of victory after a battle. The people came out to hail Jesus. They were hopeful that Jesus would be their king, but he was not the kind of political figure they were looking for. When Jesus didn’t come into Jerusalem on a warhorse but instead on a donkey, it was a disappointment for the people looking for a political savior. They were looking for a messiah to save them from Rome, not to save them from their sin. Jesus didn’t do things the way they thought he should/would. Let us keep that in mind. We may not understand what’s happening right now, but God is still on his throne. This Palm Sunday, let us claim the palm as our symbol of hope during these uncertain times. Our King has come, and he reigns in spite of what we see going on around us.

Did you know that traditionally, the ashes for Ash Wednesday are made from the left over palms from Palm Sunday the year prior? How cool is that? It ties everything together. With the palm branches we celebrate King Jesus and with the palm ashes we celebrate Christ the Savior. It all comes full circle. Jesus the King willingly went to be crucified. We are reconciled to a holy God by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Through Jesus we can have peace with God, but in these trying times, we can also have the peace of knowing that God is with us. Let us not forget that the King is on his throne and he will reign.

The words  “Fear not…your king is coming…” is as relevant today as it was on that first “Palm Sunday.” I’m sure this sentiment was needed in Jerusalem at the time of the Triumphal entry. The Jews were an oppressed people living in an occupied land. They too, were living in stressful times. If they focused only on what they could see around them, I’m sure they felt fear. 

Today, during the pandemic, if we keep our eyes on the news or on isolation and finances, we too will fear. The other day, I calmly walked into a grocery store for a few things and “caught” the frenzy from seeing the empty shelves. It was anxiety-provoking. Keeping my eyes on the empty shelves and the surrounding chaos was not helpful; I knew I needed to look up. “My fear doesn’t stand a chance, when I stand in your love…” – this Josh Baldwin song came to mind, and I had to sing it to myself throughout the rest of my shopping experience… (Perhaps that’s why I forgot half of what my husband asked me to get…does anyone have some dishwasher detergent I can borrow?) 

During fearful times, I must fill my mind with music about God. It gives me peace and hope when I feel anxious. Admittedly, I don’t see the grand plan. I don’t always understand why God allows such hard things. What I do know is that I have to keep my eye on the God who sees all. I have to trust “his ways are not my ways, nor his thoughts my thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9). When my mind begins to wander, I have found that the songs listed below remind me of God’s truth and give me peace.

When it comes to both hope and fear, we can, like the crowd gathered around Jesus, cry “Hosanna!” Although not a common term used today, you may have sung, “Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.” What does that mean? The word, originally Hebrew, means “Give salvation now” or “please, save us.” Over time, this term has shifted from a plea to a praise. Its current meaning is more in line with “Salvation, thank you.” Both of these aspects of Hosanna are relevant today. We need to say Hosanna to God, as a plea but also as a praise. Let us be praying for deliverance, for protection, and for wisdom. Plead for others that they would turn to Jesus in this uncertain time. But also let us praise Him for a place to shelter, for medical systems and providers, for friendship, family and freedom. Let us acknowledge that Jesus is Lord. The King is on His throne. He’s got this! 

“Hosanna” by Hillsong. Focus on the God who saves! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoM0AT8fBvs

”Stand in Your Love” by Josh Baldwin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T2tMt0Ky6g

ABOUT THE BLOGGER

Bonnie loves to laugh and considers laughter as the best medicine. (Psalm 126:2) She is a licensed professional counselor at The Peacemaker Center and has her own private practice, True North Counseling. Bonnie and her husband, Mitch, have two daughters, three sons, four grandchildren and three grand-puppies.

ATTENTION SEWERS

Some of our medical professionals at Willowdale are asking for homemade masks. Many are working with great shortages in their facility. Please contact Carole Hoy choy@willowdalechapel.org if you are willing to:

Sew masks. FREE kits to make 5-8 masks are available at many JoAnn Fabrics stores. Call to check for new store hours and to make sure they have kits available!

Pick up masks (either from someone's home or the church office) and deliver masks (to one of our medical professional's homes).

Thank you for your service during this challenging time!