March 22, 2018
"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!"
(John 12:13)
Dear MLEPC Members and Friends,
As I prepare to preach on Sunday, I remember that I wrote the letter for the first Sunday in Lent as I preached on Ash Wednesday. These five weeks have flown by, and we are now entering the last part of the Lenten journey with Palm Sunday as Jesus enters Jerusalem, heading to his crucifixion. This week, we're going to be reflecting on the Palm Sunday story from the gospel of John. I have a book from seminary titled, "John, the Different Gospel", and if you've read the gospels, you will agree with that title because John is indeed different. Just like you and I might witness an event and tell of it differently, each of the four gospel writers puts a different spin on the stories they tell about Jesus because of who they are and to whom they are writing. But John tells the story of Jesus' life, death and resurrection in a unique way. John's gospel is thought to have been written later and more often than not, we get within John a theological reflection on the stories of Jesus' life and ministry.
Just take a look at the verse above. John is the only gospel writer who tells us that people waved palm branches, from which we get the name for this day, Palm Sunday. And while all four gospel writers record the crowd's cry, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord," only John adds the tag, "even the King of Israel." Just these two little differences tell us there is so much more to this story that makes it truly "A Parade to Remember." Palm branches were a symbol of Jewish nationalism and of victory over their enemies. The crowd was hopeful that Jesus was the messianic liberator who would free them from Rome's domination. But Jesus wasn't that kind of king, He came to establish God's kingdom to reign over all nations, a reign of peace over all creation. He came not on a war horse but on a donkey, a sign of humility and peace.
Recently, I was searching in a closet to see what's left from our children's book collection as we prepare to welcome a grandson in July. I came across a book made for our oldest son when he was 3 years old titled "The Big Parade." I had forgotten about the book someone had written back in 1987, inserting our son's name throughout the story, making it his story. The last page of that book reads: "The parade is over now, but the people of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, will never forget the day that Jeffrey Pokrajac led THE BIG PARADE." As we remember the Palm Sunday parade, Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, let us remember how this story becomes our story. In Jerusalem, Jesus would suffer and die, taking on our sins. Three days later, He would rise from the grave so that those who believe in Him have the hope of eternal life. What a great story!
Lent began in darkness, in ashes, but it ends in a bright place, at the empty tomb on Easter Sunday, when we celebrate Jesus' resurrection. Let us continue well on the last leg of the journey, taking advantage of opportunities to stop and reflect and remember. Join us on Maundy Thursday with a dinner at 6:00 p.m., followed by worship and communion at 7:00 p.m. At the communion table, we will remember Jesus' last supper with His disciples. We will remember in the bread, His body broken, and in the cup, His blood shed on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. On Good Friday at noon, we are participating in the annual community worship service at Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church with our choir and Pastor Steve participating. At 7:00 p.m. we'll have communion and a Tenebrae service at MLEPC. There, through music, scripture and reflection by seven of our elders, we will hear the last words of our Lord and Savior as He gave up His life so that we may live. Next Sunday, we will remember and celebrate Jesus' resurrection with praise and worship, with a sunrise service at 6:30 a.m., contemporary worship at 9:00 a.m. and a traditional service at 11:15 a.m. And of course there's our annual Easter Breakfast from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. - served at no charge and with no reservations needed, so that guests will feel welcome and have the opportunity get to know us. It is through building relationships that others will see Jesus in us and want to get to know Him for themselves.
Indeed, this Palm Sunday parade is one to remember not only for the beginning of the last week of Jesus' life, but for the hope that He brings today into broken lives and into a broken world. Pray that those who need to know that hope will be drawn to worship and to Jesus.
Love, in Christ,
Linda Pokrajac
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