"Sustain the weary with a word"
Liturgy of the Psalms: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 • Matthew 21:1-11
Liturgy of the Passion: Isaiah 50:4-9a • Psalm 31:9-16 • Philippians 2:5-11 • Matthew 26:14-27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54
March 29, 2020 — Palm Sunday
This year’s Palm and Passion Sunday offers a unique challenge. We desperately need the joy of the palms, and also need to affirm Christ suffered for us and now suffers with us. The challenge is spoken in Isaiah 50:4 “The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word.”
Former New York Yankee player and major league manager Yogi Berra once said, “It’s like déjà vu all over again!” But I have this strange feeling I’ve written that before.
A good friend and Presbyterian pastor once told me he believes Christians go through recurring “Holy Weeks” in our lives. We have moments of joy like the disciples and the crowd on Palm Sunday – but we also have times of sadness and depair as they did on Good Friday. As they reoccur, it can seem “like déjà vu all over again!” If it’s the time of joy, it’s wonderful. But when it is the time of sorrow, it can be painful.
Unlike the false claims of the prosperity gospel, Christians are not persons who never have a “Good Friday” day. We experience pain and suffering. Christian, rather, are called to hold on (with God’s help) and who look toward the Resurrection Day. That in turn brings us back the “joy of the Lord” which is our strength.
God can literally change our minds. Neuroscience has changed from thinking most neuron connections were formed in the first months of life, but research is showing the brain can “remodel” itself (sometimes called brain plasticity). In other words, we “old dogs” CAN learn new tricks! We sinners CAN learn to walk in faith! What we need is practice – putting our faith into action.
The Good news of the resurrection is not simply about a past event - God raised Jesus from the dead - but that the living Christ also leads us through the difficult and discouraging times of life, as the Spirit helps us grow toward having “the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).
However you decide to deal with communion, the palms, and all else on this hoy weekend, may God give you wisdom, that you “may know how to sustain the weary with a word.”
One other idea: Do a search online for Palm Sunday activities for children and the “young at heart”. Send a link ahead to members so they can “make your own palm” or other craft at home. Incorporate it into your worship. If you’re live streaming, end with a “procession” with palms, either singing or listening to an appropriate hymn. (One example is at
http://www.dltk-bible.com/crafts/
.)
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Rev. Bill Cotton is taking a sabbatical from his busy retirement. This week’s memo was written by Rev. Bob Dean, a retired pastor and member of the Iowa Conference who is living the dream in Ankeny, Iowa.
