Praises to the King - Palm Sunday - Week of April 17, 2011 Luke 19:28-40 Reflections on this week s message: The Earth is the LORD s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters... Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty he is the King of glory. Psalm 24:1-2, 8-10 We call it Palm Sunday, the sixth Sunday in Lent is the observance of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This moment in time is a high point in Jesus earthly ministry, it was an occasion filled with joyous celebration. It was also a statement made by God concerning the Kingship of Jesus. For this brief time, the nation of Israel was acknowledging their true King. It is significant that Jesus rode a donkey rather than a horse because of the symbolism that would have been recognized by the people. It was well known that if a King rode into a town, region or nation on a horse that he was coming to conquer, but if he rode a donkey it was a sign that he came in peace. This symbolism would not be lost on the people that day. I suspect that Judas especially noted this message. Judas was known as Judas Iscariot. The name Iscariot is thought by many to mean Murderer or Assassin, this would place him in the company of radicals, zealots and insurrectionists. Judas agenda would have been one of radical, political and militant overthrow of the Roman government; he would expect his king to lead him in such an endeavor. Even in the midst of all of the excitement and celebration there were the Jewish leaders, the Sanhedrin. These guys were planning to kill Jesus in order to preserve their place and position with Rome. They were charged by the Empire with keeping their people in line. The Palm Sunday demonstration was a threat to that agenda and they approached Jesus and told Him to silence His followers. Jesus response tells us that this moment had to happen; I tell you, He replied, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out. (Luke 19:40) For me, this event is one of joy and sadness. Joy in the praise and glory bestowed on Jesus, but sadness, because it marked the beginning of a chain of events that would see the people turn on Him. As exciting as the procession into Jerusalem might have been, many in the crowd would change their shouts from Hosanna! to Crucify Him! before the week was over. Do you praise Jesus on Sunday morning and crucify Him with your sin later in the week? Love, Pastor Joe Prayer Starter: Getting Started: Grab your bible & a journal. Find a quiet, comfortable spot to begin your daily Bible reading. Light a candle & spend a few minutes relaxing, quieting your mind. Keep a notebook nearby to jot down distractions that interfere with your focus to put them out of your mind to deal with later. You may want to play your favorite hymns or praise music softly in the background. To quiet your mind & prepare to focus on God & His Word try one of the prayer exercises found under Spiritual Growth Resources. Then pray the suggested prayer starter personalizing it to your needs & desire for God s guidance. This Week's Prayer Starter: Jesus, I adore you. I crown you as my Lord and King. And yet, as I pray these words I know that I will most likely deny you with my selfish desires & indifference even before the day is done. Forgive me, Lord. As I journey into Holy Week, help me to encounter you in fresh, new ways. Help me to experience your love & mercy as never before. Change me, Lord. Help me to understand the power of your love on the cross. Help me to get it, Lord so that I might completely give my life in service to you, not just for today, but for always. In your name I pray. AMEN.
day 1 week of April 17 Read Luke 19:28-40 What kind of reception would Jesus receive if he rode into your town today? What do you expect from your King? Do you praise your King? What did Jesus mean when he said that if his disciples kept quiet, the stones would cry out? What do you think the stones might say? Do you praise Jesus on Sunday morning & crucify him with your sin later in the week? What comes to your mind when you consider that before the week is out you will crucify your Lord with your sin, your indifference, your selfishness? Spend some time today reflecting on Jesus love. Even as He knows that you will celebrate Him one day & crucify Him the next, He still loves you! day 2 week of April 17 Read Psalm 24 Which aspects of God s creation speak to you? What does this psalm say about God? Who is this King of glory? Are you seeking the face of God? What does it mean to have clean hands & a pure heart? What idols tempt you to live for them instead of Jesus? Are you opening the door for Jesus or are you standing in the way? What does God s reign call you to be and do? How will you make time to experience Jesus as your King this Holy Week? Is Jesus truly your King of Kings & Lord of Lords? Are you willing to give your heart & life to Jesus & receive the forgiveness & love He has to offer? Visit Fairhope s Holy Week Outdoor Prayer Experience & spend some time reflecting on the last 7 words Jesus spoke from the cross.
day 3 week of April 17 Read 1 Peter 2:19-24 & 1 Corinthians 1:18 In what ways will you encounter Jesus this week? How will the Bible stories you have read become your own lived experience? What benefits has Christ suffering produced? How does it feel to know that Jesus bore your sins in his body so that you might die to sins and live for righteousness? How does it feel to know that by his wounds you have been healed? Why does the message of the cross seem like foolishness to people outside Christianity? Do you believe that Christ suffered for you? If so, are you following in His footsteps? There is nothing elegant about the cross, yet it preaches the world s best sermon. Let the weight of this parable sink into your heart. (From The Meeting God Bible, pg. 1503) Memorize I Corinthians 1:18. day 4 week of April 17 Read Matthew 26:17-30 Why do you think Jesus was so secretive about his arrangements for the Passover meal? What impresses you most about Jesus at the Last Supper? How deeply do you know God s forgiveness of your sins? Following the meal Jesus took His disciples to pray? Why was this important? Why would Jesus choose to love us, knowing we were going to break His heart? Are you ready to make the commitment to follow Jesus sacrificial example and experience Holy Week in a way that will change everything for you? Invite someone to experience Jesus with you on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday!
day 5 week of April 17 Read Matthew 26:47-56 & John 19:1-37 What kind of a people are we that a ministry of love would stir up such hatred? Do we really allow ourselves to consider & understand the cost of our sin & Jesus' amazing gift of love He gave to save us? Why is it easier to attend things like the Easter Egg Hunt & Easter Worship than Maundy Thursday & Good Friday? As you reflect on Jesus suffering through this significant week, are you willing to open your heart and embrace the cross, not just as something Jesus did for you, but as something he calls you to do for him and others? Will you recognize your King today? Pray that Jesus might be made known to others because of this week s remembrance. Sign up to pray during Saturday s Easter Prayer Vigil. Let the mystery of God unfold during the season of Lent. Take up one new spiritual practice during this season. Get real with Jesus & carve out a space in your life for Him! Curiosity is a good thing! For questions about Lent & some of the church words & experiences associated with this season, we encourage you to explore some of the resources & Lenten devotional books available at the table outside the sanctuary, in our library & educational ministry office (rm. 202 & 203), on our website, www.myfairhopeumc.net, our Facebook page, or through our Faith & Life Discovery sermon-based daily devotions. Please contact Pastor Joe or Kathy Schmucker, Director of Educational Ministries, for more information. Rediscover your curiosity & meet God in the questions! Remember, sometimes questioning can bring you closer to God! Let the mystery of God unfold during the season of Lent. Get real with Jesus! Carve out a space in your life for Him and allow Him to reveal Himself more fully to you this Lent! After reflecting & praying through this week s readings & sermon teaching, I feel God is nudging me to take these steps:
Dig Deeper: Faith & Life Discovery Journal THE SEASON OF LENT REPENT~RETURN~REFLECT~REMEMBER~REFOCUS~RENEW Get Real With Jesus! Let the mystery of God unfold through spiritual practices: Incorporate the following spiritual disciplines into your daily life during the season of Lent: Read the Bible daily. Memorize Scripture. Pray Participate in worship. Connect with other Christians & join a Small Group, Bible Study, or Sunday School class. Practice extravagant generosity by tithing and giving of your time, talents, & resources. Share what God has given you! Serve in missions and ministry! (Matt 4:4, Ps 119:11, John 4:24, Acts 2:42-47, 1Tim 6:17-19, Matt 23:11, James 1:22) Make time for Jesus and take up one new spiritual practice this Lent! Prayerfully review the above list. Check out the spiritual growth resources page or visit our website, www.myfairhopeumc.net to help you explore each spiritual practice. If you are already doing something in each area, find ways to experience each spiritual practice in a new way! Dig deeper! Do something more! Make Lent important! Psalm 29 1 Honor the LORD, you heavenly beings [a] ; honor the LORD for his glory and strength. 2 Honor the LORD for the glory of his name. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. 3 The voice of the LORD echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The LORD thunders over the mighty sea. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. 5 The voice of the LORD splits the mighty cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon s mountains skip like a calf; he makes Mount Hermon [b] leap like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the LORD strikes with bolts of lightning. 8 The voice of the LORD makes the barren wilderness quake; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the LORD twists mighty oaks [c] and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, Glory! 10 The LORD rules over the floodwaters. The LORD reigns as king forever. 11 The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace. Prayerfully read this psalm, reflecting on your need for God to renew your heart during this season of Lent.
Resource Journey through Holy Week Palm Sunday Read Mark 11. Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey where he was greeted joyously by the crowd. Holy Monday Read Matthew 21:12-13. This day is traditionally remembered as the day when Jesus chased the money changers out of the Temple. Holy Tuesday This day is remembered as the day that Jesus preached and taught in Jerusalem. Look through the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John reflecting on some of Jesus teachings. Read about the greatest commandments in Matthew 22:34-40. Show love to someone today. Holy Wednesday Read Matthew 26:14. Also known as Spy Wednesday, the day when Judas Iscariot agrees to betray Jesus. Maundy Thursday Read John 13:3-9, Matthew 26:26-28, & John 13:34-35. This day is also called Holy Thursday or Great Thursday. The word Maundy comes from the Latin word for command, derived from Jesus mandate to love one another as He has loved us. This day celebrates the Last Supper Jesus had with the disciples. After washing the disciple s feet, Jesus celebrated the Feast of the Passover, instituting the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Afterwards, while praying in Gethsemane with his disciples, Jesus was arrested. Good Friday Read John 19:16-18. On this day we remember the crucifixion, when Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Holy Saturday Read Luke 23:50-55. The day after Jesus died when his body lay buried in the tomb. Because this day was the Sabbath, the women couldn t go to the tomb to anoint Jesus body until the next day. Easter Sunday Read John 20. This is the third day from the day when Jesus died. The day that Mary Magdalene and Mary discovered that Jesus is alive! Filled with joy, they ran to tell others. We are commissioned to do the same. Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia! Seek first His kingdom & His righteousness Matthew 6:33