Many of us have had an experience where we thought things were running along just great, and then, all of a sudden, things go very wrong. Maybe a wrong word was used that caused confusion and a breakdown in communication, or perhaps some unforeseen accident changed the possibilities of the future. Whatever happened, the plans that were once in place now seem to have gone horribly wrong, and now our greatest desire is to get out of the situation altogether. While the events of Holy Week were not unexpected or accidental for Jesus, his disciples and followers were undoubtedly confused and frightened.

This Sunday we commemorate Jesus arriving in Jerusalem during the Passover celebration. As he rides into town, he was being proclaimed by some as the anointed one of God and the descendant of David who would bring in a new and long-awaited kingdom: "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!" People waved palm branches and threw down their cloaks to show their support and excitement.

However, for those Israelites who held the traditional definitions and expectations of victory, Jesus was a big disappointment. His agenda was completely different from what human nature had always referred to as "victory." His emphasis was on relationship, not retaliation. The good news Jesus came to preach was first meant to be good news to our spirits, and the liberation Jesus came to offer was first meant to be the liberation of our very souls. For people experiencing very real and physical oppression, this seemed to be too little, too late.

And so, on this day, we also commemorate how the one who came in the name of the Lord died an excruciating death at the hands of those who neither understood his message nor understood the true meaning of justice. Those of us who proclaim ourselves followers of Jesus are not only baptized into his victory, we are also baptized into his death-a death that constantly reminds us of the ugliness of oppression and encourages our participation in freedom and justice for all.

To share such a complex story means that our worship will be different than most of our Sunday worship services. Scripture, music, and congregational participation, more than simple preaching and liturgy, will guide our journey and understanding of how, when a beloved teacher and prophet ended up on a cross, our lives were changed forever.