Sermon: March 24, 2024
Reading Mark 11:1-11
The scene is set before us. On one side of Jerusalem approaches Pilate and the Roman war machine, which relies on violence, fear, and terror to control the masses. Then there are the Pharisees, who are entrenched in the social hierarchy and rule the social structure, intent on keeping those they determined as the dregs of society in their place. They use religious rules and authority to keep the people in line. And from the other side of Jerusalem, approaches Jesus humbly mounted on a donkey, proclaiming that there is a different way; a way that respects the dignity of every human being, a way that seeks God above all else and serves all people with love, grace, and compassion. A love that God has for all of his creation.
Hosanna Son of David – Save us, O Lord our Messiah; that is our Lenten cry – our Lenten prayer– and Jesus responds with love and compassion. He extends his hand and invites us to journey with him as pilgrims and disciples. Jesus invites us on a pilgrimage as he willingly offers himself as an answer to our prayer and a means for our salvation. Jesus invites us to gather as the body of Christ in worship. On Maundy Thursday Jesus gives us a new commandment. He invites us to gather with him and the disciples as they share the Passover meal, and Jesus washes the feet of the disciples – all the disciples knowing full well that one will betray him, another will deny him, and all will abandon him. And yet Jesus still demonstrates agape the selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love that Christ calls us to show to one another. On Friday, we continue our pilgrimage with Jesus at the Good Friday service. Good Friday is one of the most solemn days and commemorates the ultimate loving sacrifice that Christ made for us.
God is inviting us this week to join him on a pilgrimage that can transform us. As children of God and a community built in the love of Christ, let’s take this pilgrimage together. All the arrangements have been made, and the price has been paid. We just need to open our hearts, take God’s hand, and journey with our Savior Jesus Christ to the cross and then experience the glory of his resurrection, and it all begins with our prayer of Hosanna to the Son of David – Save us, O Lord our Messiah.
