Reflections
April 5, 2009

This is Palm Sunday! We all know the story. The Gospels record that Jesus gave instructions to his disciple to go into the city and prepare for their celebration of the Passover. As part of that preparation, they were to bring a colt (some record donkey), on which He was to ride. He then rode into Jerusalem with the children waving palm branches to shouts of hosanna.

Palm Sunday is, of course, known as Passion Sunday as well and that interpretation is found in one of today’s lectionary readings from Philippians. In the second chapter, beginning with verse five, Paul records the purpose of Jesus’ visit. He came to celebrate the Passover, but He came as well, knowing He faced betrayal and mortal danger. His humility and inner peace in the face of death confound and confuse. His self-giving love and obedience nearly beyond comprehension.

The words of Paul were so important to the early Church they were sung often in worship in the form of a hymn. They used them to remember the Passion experience. Paul recognized and celebrated His triumphant journey into the city. However, he knew the road to Easter traveled through Good Friday.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601