Passion Sunday

Passion Sunday/Palm Sunday – April 4, 2004

The Passion According to Luke

How would you celebrate your birthday if it were December 25^th? Brian was born on December 25^th so his wife, Linda, celebrates that day like this: First, the family awakens to Christmas. They celebrate the birth of Jesus, the joy of knowing their Savior and then about noon Linda removes all the Christmas decorations. By mid-afternoon the decorations are in place for the celebration of Brian’s birthday. You could say that December 25^th in their household is a day celebrating special births. You would be right.

Today is a Sunday like that. Today you celebrate two things that are moments of in the life of Jesus and actions that affect you at the very core of your being.

First, there is “Palm” Sunday with its procession and joy. Here is the entry of our Lord and King into Jerusalem and into your lives. It is a time of joy for you, a time of glad shouting and praise of God.

Second, there is the “Passion” of this Sunday. You have just read the passion account by Luke. It is a serious reflection on the suffering and death of Jesus.

These two seemingly unrelated themes of today can readily be seen in the respective “Prayer of the Day” each has.

Listen to the Palm prayer: “Mercifully assist us, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts whereby you have given us life everlasting…”

All relies on the mercy of God, so the prayer begins, “Mercifully assist us…” You cannot accomplish anything without grace. The prayer asks that God would help you ENTER with JOY the contemplation of God’s mighty acts for you in Christ. Note that you enter God’s kingdom as Jesus entered Jerusalem. You will also see the mighty acts of God to save you. That leads to the second prayer.

“Almighty God, you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take our flesh upon him and to suffer death on the cross. Grant that we may share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection…”

The ‘mighty acts’ of God include the incarnation where Jesus becomes fully human, takes “flesh” upon himself. Then there is the mightiest of acts, the cross itself, where Jesus suffers and dies. Here is the sacrificial grace of God for you. It was God’s will, to which Jesus was obedient, and through which you are forgiven all your sin.

All these mighty acts lead to the great and glorious news of every Sunday, but especially of next Sunday: the victory of the resurrection of Christ, offering you resurrected life as well.

First, though, you have to go through the cross. There is no Easter without Good Friday. And that is where this day intersects with you. You are invited to walk with Jesus and to live with Jesus. This is the holiest of weeks. Come for the journey and stay for the meal. Amen.

- Pastor Robert F. Holley