Saturday, March 23, 2024

His Triumphant Arrival

Scripture: John 12:12-17 (NRSV Extract) – “The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord – the King of Israel!’ Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: ‘Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!’ His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify.” 

Message: During one of our first visits to our new tiny jungle village in Costa Rica, we came upon a celebration, a reenactment right before our eyes, just off the beach. Palm leaves had been cut and were being gently placed in the dirty muddy road. Soon a young man on a donkey with many followers dressed in colorful clothing appeared. People were waving palm branches and we soon realized it was Palm Sunday; the young man was portraying Jesus.

Some people had come out of curiosity, some for the miracles Jesus had performed, and still others to learn by examples from the Teacher, including: His trust; His honesty; His tolerance; His gentleness; His joy; His patience; His faithfulness. We were reminded of Christ’s vision and example, so we can learn to do the same.

While we watched the parade with reverence, we began to feel a strong sense of connection with everyone there. They would be our neighbors and friends, our brothers and sisters whom we would forgive, as they would forgive us.

Every day, every hour, every thought we choose, and what we choose, we perceive. Christ’s vision sees in us God’s Love. And we can choose to see with His eyes through ours in the same way, if we only ask.

Family Activity: Supplies: green construction paper and a wooden barbecue skewer. Draw round your hand 3 or 4 times on the paper and cut out. Write your praises and thanksgivings on the hand images. Stick them to the skewer to make a palm leaf to wave your praises to Jesus.

Prayer: Our Father, help us to choose to see with Christ’s vision what Jesus asks us to learn, so we can follow as He directs us, and to trust we will always find Your real peace we are seeking. Amen.

Tommy and Linda Corkhill

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