Conversation Point

Palm Sunday

The evening before Palm Sunday is not traditionally as busy as the preparatory days before Easter. There are no big meals to plan, no eggs to decorate, and no special outfits to pick out or iron. There is no need to try to go to bed early in anticipation of an early rising for a sunrise worship service. While Palm Sunday worship can be exhilarating, shaking off the somewhat heavy mantle of Lent, and a bit special because of the token palm branch many churches offer on the way out as an object lesson for the day, there isn't much that distinguishes the day from other Sundays. That is unless you take a serious look at what this day meant to the people whose voices were the strength of the hosannahs Jesus heard that day as he reentered Jerusalem with his disciples.

What was that Saturday night like? How did people prepare to welcome Jesus, this man some were calling the Messiah? What was it like to consider that Jesus might be the one who would lead them out from under Roman rule as they gathered to celebrate the Passover and remember their escape from Egypt with Moses as their guide?

I can only imagine the energy and the hope buzzing through the crowded city as the sun went down, Sabbath services came to a close and discussions about the next day's events became the central focus for the rest of the night. How would Jesus enter the city? How many people would come out to welcome him? With so many visitors in town for the Passover would the Romans leave the crowds alone or would they try to show some extra force to keep the everything under control? What would Jesus talk about? Surely, with an audience this size he wouldn't miss the opportunity to share his message. Maybe this would be the moment he would choose to announce that he was indeed the Messiah. Maybe this Passover would also be the year that God would save the Jewish people again.

Perhaps there was even some conversation about Jesus spending some time with individual families, sharing a meal or a simple visit. He had been known to socialize with many people during his travels. He had also been known to heal those for whom there appeared to be no cures. Were there families in Jerusalem that night praying for their miracles as Jesus prepared to enter the great city? Were others ready to take this opportunity to learn what they could from this man they had heard about by word of mouth, but had never seen in person? His teachings had astonished many, and rumor had it, angered the Jewish authorities. Whatever tomorrow held, it would be a day to remember, a day to share with children and grandchildren for generations to come.

And then it was Sunday morning.

"The great crowd heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, 'Hosannah! Blessed is the who comes in the name of the Lord - the King of the Jews! (John 12:12-13)."

And then it was over.

The crowds dissipated. Shops stayed open for the extra visitors in town for the Passover later in the week. People went home to feed their families and attend to the rest of their lives. As exciting and glorious as the morning had been, Jesus would likely stay in the area through the holy days and they would have other chances to hear him preach without so many people clamoring around him. Still, it was good to be a part of his arrival. Something so wonderful had not been seen in Jerusalem for quite some time. Whether or not Jesus was the Messiah, his presence could make the world better. Maybe there was still hope.

posted by Cory L. Kemp @ 3:44 PM