Palm Sunday – WONDERWHAT

This Sunday is Palm Sunday which is the beginning of Holy Week! We’ll be taking a break from our study in Micah while we turn our attention to Easter.

We’ll be reading Luke 19:28-44. There are so many things going on with the way that Jesus rides into Jerusalem. Luke doesn’t mention Palm branches, but John 12:12-13 gives us that detail. This event is pointing back to ancient prophecies about the Messiah, as well as prior historical events in Israel, and all of it is meant to create a contrast between the kingdoms of this world and how God rules His kingdom.

Do your best to imagine the scene. How intimidating does someone look riding on a donkey? If intimidation isn’t what Jesus is going for, what message is is his mode of transport meant to convey? Why do you think the Pharisees were upset with the crowds singing about a coming King in Jesus’ direction? Is it possible they had their eyes on the Roman soldiers watching this impromptu parade? What do you suppose the significance of the rocks taking up the song if people were to quit shouting Jesus’ praise?

After Palm Sunday, we’ll have our Maundy Thursday service on Thursday at 6:30 PM, where we’ll re-enact the events of the Last Supper and consider what we learn about God from that night. It’s an interactive event, so we are asking for people to RSVP – you can do that HERE.

On Friday we’ll observe Good Friday, also at 6:30, with worship, a live painting, and the Stations of the Cross paintings which were done last year. This will be a meditative, reflective service where we focus on Christ’s sacrificial love for us.

Easter is the big day, with a Sunrise Service at Pineapple Willy’s at 6:15 AM and an Easter Service at our building at 10 AM.

Hope to see you there!

So, I’m thinking through ways in which we can be more interactive and engaged in the texts we study on Sunday mornings. I’m wondering if this blog can be used as a means of achieving those goals as well.

This Sunday, we’re going to continue our study in Mark, and we’ll be starting chapter 11, and we’ll examine the first 11 verses. (Click the link to the left to read the passage at Bible Gateway. Try reading it in several translations- NIV, NKJ, The Message, etc.) Let me offer a few thoughts and questions, and maybe we can even get a discussion going in the comments section (if not, no worries, we’re just trying things out here)…all in preparation for corporately examining this passage on Sunday morning.

The whole text is significant in terms of identifying whoJesus is, and what role He has come to fulfill. As Jesus first arrives in Jerusalem, He is received with great fanfare, and He is in effect, being declared a “king”. Who is it that is making this declaration?

Within a week, Jesus will be arrested, and the charges brought against Him will be directly related to this very event. What will Jesus be accused of before the Romans?

In our country, we have very little use for monarchies and kings – why is that? Does that have any influence on our perception of Jesus as a King? If we are part of the kingdom of God, what does that mean? How is Jesus your King?

What kind of King does Jesus appear to be in this passage? What things seem evident from the events as they’re described?

Ok. That’s it. Let’s see if this works.

WONDERWHAT

Tag: Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday – The Triumphal Entry

This Sunday: Mark 11:1-11