Palm/Passion Sunday

Next Sunday, March 28, we will observe Palm/Passion Sunday, the day that commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and begins what we call Holy Week, the time of remembering the last days of Jesus’ earthly life. His three-year journey was nearing the end. He had been preparing to make this important move. Entering the city of Jerusalem during the Feast of the Passover brought attention to his mission as the Messiah. The crowd who greeted him expected a Messiah who would free them from Roman occupation. But he came as a suffering servant, not as the expected king. As the week progressed, the cries of “Hosanna” heard on that Sunday would change to “Crucify him!”

The days of Jesus’ last week included confrontation, agonizing prayer, betrayal by one of his own, his arrest, trial, and finally the horrible crucifixion. But the traditional religious observance of Passover, Jesus’ last meal with his disciples in the “upper room” and his final words to them are what we remember as most significant. That night, Jesus transformed the traditional Seder meal into a sacrament that became more than a memorial meal; it became a symbolic reminder of the sacrifice that he was willing to make. Bread and cup became symbols of his body and blood, broken and shed, and of the depth of God’s love. Love was at the center of all that Jesus did and taught. During that last gathering with his disciples he shared insights that would continue to guide those who believe in him and seek to be his followers: “Love one another as I have loved you. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (See John 13-14.) These words still challenge those who seek to be his followers today.

As we prepare to celebrate Easter and the transforming power of God’s love, may we ponder the meaning of both Jesus’ words and actions, so that we may commit to living the kind of love he so clearly demonstrated on the cross and beyond.