Palm Sunday

I’m Rev Jay Stuart Glover, and you are listening to FaithTalk. Today, on Palm Sunday, people around the world are reflecting  on  Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as captured in the Gospel of John.

In the twelfth chapter of John we read: “The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 

This scene of the jubilant crowd welcoming Jesus paints a picture of  the profound hope and celebration surrounding His arrival. 

 Back then  the people had a messianic expectation. They envisioned a mighty deliverer who would liberate them from the oppressive Roman government. And with great enthusiasm, they praised Jesus as He entered Jerusalem.

However, it is essential to note that not long after this moment of adoration, the same crowd would turn against Him, rejecting Him.  This 2000 year old  shift from fervent praise to an intense betrayal is still a unwelcome reality for modern day Christianity. This passage of scripture not only tells a story but it  invites us to reflect on our own  personal spiritual journey as well as the collective journey of our faith communities. 

Individually, we must take a look inward and identify areas in our lives where we may still reject or resist God's healing and transformative power. This self-examination allows us to confront the barriers that prevent us from fully embracing God’s love and the spiritual  freedom He desires for us. 

Collectively, as a community  it is crucial to evaluate whether the Theology, practices and traditions within our faith communities genuinely reflect the teachings of Jesus. We should consider whether we have inadvertently strayed from the gospel, adopting our own far reaching interpretations rather than adhering to Christ's message. This assessment is essential to ensure our communal beliefs and actions align with the core tenets of our faith. Let us not forget that today  there is a strong proclivity to declare what is wrong as  right and what is right as wrong. 

The good news is that Jesus remained undeterred by the crowd's rejection. He pressed on to fulfill His atoning ministry. God in the person of Jesus has entered into our struggle. 

Today  we are invited to fully embrace God's invitation to us,  rooted in love, allowing ourselves to be transformed by the truth of His Word and the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit.

As we ponder our spiritual integrity, Palm Sunday serves as both a celebration of Christ’s kingship and a challenge to examine the depth and resilience of our faith. 

As we prepare our hearts for Holy Week, let us embrace the joy of this sacred moment while recognizing the divine nature of God. May we carry this spirit of hope into our daily lives, and with genuine hearts, shout “Hosanna,” welcoming Christ not only in celebration but also through our actions and decisions throughout the coming week. 

Thank you for joining us on FaithTalk. May you grow in your intimacy with God on this  Palm Sunday.