Palm Sunday

Our readings for Palm Sunday are:

1. Isaiah 50: 4-7
2. Psalms 22: 8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
3. Philippians 2: 6-11
4. Matthew 27: 11-54

• The cost of a well-trained tongue
• Sometimes, words may be true, but they can be spoken from a person who is in a place that makes them ring false.  Until we have learned what it is like to be in another's shoes, it is hard to give them a word that will truly reach them.  It is hard to show mercy until you have come to terms with your own need for mercy, and accepted that mercy from God.
• When was a time that you felt that you had nothing that you could say to someone else in need?
• What did you end up doing/saying for/to them at that time?
• How did you find it in your heart to relate to them that way?
• How did you grow in that encounter? 

• Awesome God
• Someone or something is awesome when they inspire awe, wonder, amazement.  Our culture tells us that awesome is about power, accomplishment, success, respect.  Jesus tells us differently.
• What has God done that is awesome in your life lately?
• Why was that particularly awesome for you?
• Have you thanked Him for that? 

• Emptying Himself
• Jesus was not afraid to give himself away.  But most of us, for our parts, wonder what will be left if we give too much of ourselves away.  We look at the story of the widow's mite and see only starvation. 
• Who is someone that inspires you with their generosity?
• Do they ever seem to run out of what they give away?
• Have you ever felt depleted because of something that you did for another?
• Why do you think that is? 

• Standing with, standing for Jesus
• Scripture doesn't mention anyone standing up for Jesus in this narrative.  It can feel as though the world, our culture, all those in power, have somehow been aligned together in one great conspiracy and the only sensible option is to get out of the way.
• Does standing up for Jesus have to make a difference in order for that stand to be successful?
• How would you even tell if something that you did actually was successful, in that your action brought the Kingdom of God closer?
• What did that stand cost you? 
• Would it make it worth it knowing that you made a real difference? 

• Preparation for Reconciliation
• Where might God be teaching me how to reach other?
• What does God desire for me of His awesomeness?
• Where might God be calling me to greater freedom?
• Where might God be calling me to greater freedom?

Splinters

I had important business in the Holy City that day.

Little time for visiting family, even less for sight seeing.

And yet, here I am, trudging along in this death parade.

Struggling next to someone I hardly even know by reputation.

 

When I took that cross beam from Him, He looked deep into my eyes.

Holding that lock as though we both had hours for the exchange.

Then he very softly breathed "thank you".

And then it was time to pick up the pace and keep going.

 

No time for pleasantries.

No time for listing our family lineage.

No time even to ask how of us is doing.

Both of us breathless, Each for his own reasons.

 

At first, I wanted to quietly walk away.

Leave that cursed, loathsome timber in some ditch -

And go about my way -

And try to salvage what I could of this day.

 

But as the rotted fruit and spit meant for Him

That landed instead on me,

And the two of us became more and more alike,

I gradually came to marvel at His freedom.

 

He was trudging along, giving everything.

Freely, without reservation.

And I realized how very bound I was.

Bound to schedules, agreements, patterns

 

All of which told me -

That I was just as bound as He was -

That He was freer than  I was.

And that my shackles were worse than His.

 

And I began to see the occasional spittle,

Dirt,

Even rocks raining down on us -

As evidence that we were becoming one in disgrace.

 

He never issued an invitation to join Him.

But He steadied me with His bloodied hand

As He strove to stay upright along the way.

And I knew community like never before.

 

I have to know more about this Man.

I must search for His disciples -

And join them to join Him

And make all suffering, all insults meaningful.

 

Shalom!