Palm Sunday: Journey Begins with Humility & Action
In the culminating sermon of the “what r u up 2?” Lent series, Pastor Cristina engages the congregation with the powerful story of Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, setting the stage for Holy Week. Reflecting on Matthew 21:1-11, Pastor Cristina brings to life the humility and defiance of Jesus, riding into Jerusalem not with the might of armies but on the back of a donkey, a potent symbol of peace and a direct challenge to the prevailing powers of the time.
This underscores a call to action, urging us to sit up and take notice of the injustices around us, much like the crowds who spread their cloaks and branches in Jesus’s path. This day marks not the end but the beginning of our journey with Jesus – a journey that defies conventional expectations of power and kingdom, inviting us instead to embrace a kingdom built on love, justice, and humility.
Through the lens of Jesus’s entry and the subsequent reactions – from the palpable excitement of the crowd chanting “Hosanna!” to the unease of the city and the Pharisees – We are challenged to consider our roles as modern-day followers of Jesus. Are we ready to lay down our branches, to bear light in the darkness, and to take bold, peaceful actions in the name of love?
Highlighting the importance of immersing ourselves in the entirety of Holy Week, Pastor Cristina reminds us of the deep, transformative power of Jesus’s journey. This full participation allows us to grasp the profound messages of sacrifice, steadfast love, forgiveness, and ultimate freedom presented in the Easter story.
Pastor Cristina reiterates that living out the teachings of Jesus – his call to peace, his challenge to power structures, and his embodiment of God’s enduring love – are essential to truly responding to God’s call in our lives. This Palm Sunday, we are invited to step into the story, to ponder deeply our place within it, and to rise up in action, embodying the hope and change Jesus champions.
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