I grew up in an intentionally non-liturgical church. That’s not to say we didn’t have a liturgy. It’s just that ours was not anything like the orders of service found in other churches (Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist and even some Baptist) which observed the Christian calendar. I was probably in my twenties when I learned that Epiphany was something more than just a stunning realization. Lent was, to a rural Southerner, the past tense of loan. Palm Sunday may as well have been the first day of Spring Break in Panama City, Florida.
It’s not that we didn’t believe that Jesus was revealed as the Son of God (Epiphany), or that Christians should practice prayer, repentance and self-denial (Lent), or that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey while people shouted “Hosanna,” and placed palm fronds on the road in front of him (Palm Sunday). We did. It’s just that we practiced a holy agnosticism about when all those things happened and, therefore, were loathe to designate special seasons of the year for their celebration. To us, that would have been adding something that God had not authorized.
I think we had good intentions. I also think we missed out on some important things. It’s not a negative when you and a large plurality of your neighbors, friends and fellow citizens are all talking about the same thing at the same time — especially if the topic of conversation is some moment in the life of Jesus and its implications for how you all live together.
Today is Palm Sunday — a celebration of the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem and a declaration that he is the King. You can (and should) read Gospel accounts here, here, here and here. It’s significant, I think, that all four Gospels tell the story. But they each tell it in their own nuanced ways.
Matthew, for example, notes that the enthusiasm of the crowds following Jesus stirred the whole city. The people of Jerusalem asked, “Who is this?”
That makes me wonder — what’s the connection between our celebrations of Jesus and the curiosity of those who don’t know him? If people aren’t asking “Who is this?” anymore, does it indict them or me?
Mark adds a strange little detail to the story. The first three gospels all mention that Jesus borrowed a colt to ride. But in Mark’s telling, Jesus orders his disciples to tell the owner, the Lord “will send it back here shortly.” It’s almost as if Mark is underlining the fact that the One who is riding into Jerusalem as the King, doesn’t have a horse to call his own.
That makes me wonder — why am I so concerned about possessions and ownership and wealth?
Luke highlights the emotions of the crowds. They “began joyfully to praise God in loud voices.” Jesus apparently endorsed their sprightly praise because when the Pharisees fussed about it, he told them, “If they keep quiet the stones will cry out.” But in the very next verse, Luke says that when Jesus saw the city, he wept over it.
That makes me wonder — are there times when I should be shouting, but am silent as a stone; are there times when I should be weeping, but am hard as rock?
John’s Palm Sunday passage is the shortest, though he’s the only one who specifically mentions palms. Like Matthew, John refers to Old Testament prophesies which foretold these very events. Then he adds this detail; “At first, his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him.”
And that makes me wonder — what things about Jesus do I not understand?
Read the accounts for yourself. You’ll have your own wonderings, your own questions and even your own epiphanies. Enjoy the day. Any day we get to celebrate Jesus as King and shout Hosanna is a good one. But the calendar is relentless. Another day is coming. On that day, there will be shouting, but it won’t be praise. There will be a crown, but it won’t be royal. And Jesus will be lifted up, but not on a colt.
Thanks for these Palm Sunday reflections, Jody. Very helpful. As I lift my fingers from the keyboard and study the palms of my own hands, I remember how ironic it is that the palms that laid the palm branches are the same palms that gripped the hammer of sin which drove nails into the palms of my Lord. Palms are always connecting us, this day and every day. From handshakes to high fives, from fists balled in anger to hands and arms thrown wide for hugs, the palms are always central to the action.
Well said, brother. Your Sunday blogs always start my “special” day of worship with a renewed focus.
I agree that we have missed the blessings of following the spiritual calendar. I find I am strengthened by using the calendar as a guide through my own walk.
Know that I am proud and blessed that you were once a student of mine. Now you are teaching me much through sharing your walk.
It is good when many of our community are talking about Christ and His Kingdom at the same time. It is also good to draw attention to things that are not in scripture and therefore unauthorized additions. The additions is what has caused the great evil of division among Christians. Your and my heritage taught us something for a reason; we just need to add the elements that increase conversation without appearing to condone the excesses. Great article.
thanks a lot Jody
Great article, Jody. Having jumped the pew as I “left the church” of my youth 19 years ago, I have only reconnected with people these past couple of years via Facebook. For the most part it has been refreshing. Finding your blog (thanks Matt E.) has been one of the highlights of this “reconnection.” I believe we have scriptural precedent for incorporating new “holy days” where Purim was added to the biblical feasts (as well as the Festival of Lights), and no one took issue with them and called them “unscriptural” or “extra-biblical.” Students of Jewish history know that freedom was given in lots of areas of expediency and this same freedom was passed on in the New Testament(Binding and loosing.) The “Christian calendar” can be a useful guide to help us (and our children) remember events in the life of Christ. Have a wonderfully blessed Palm Sunday…I am!! 😉
Beautifully said! Blessed this day by your words.