Holy Week: Palm Sunday

0:00Here's today's in touch devotion. Today's scripture reading is Luke chapter 19 verses 28 through 44. After Jesus had said these things, he was going on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he approached Beth Page and Bethany near the mount that is called all of it, he sent two of his disciples saying, go into the village ahead of you, there, as you enter, you will find a cult tied, on which no one yet has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, why are you untying it? You shall say, the Lord has need of it. So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the cult, its owner said to them, why are you untying the cult? They said, the Lord has need of it. They brought it to Jesus and they threw their coats on the cult and put Jesus on it.

1:02As he was going, they were spreading their coats on the road. As soon as he was approaching, near the descent of the mount of Alas, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, shouting, blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord, peace in heaven and glory in the highest. Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, teacher, rebuke your disciples. But Jesus answered, I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out. When he approached Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, if you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace. But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemy is will throw up a barricade against you and surround you and hem you in on every side.

2:03And they will level you to the ground and your children within you. And they will not leave in you one stone upon another because you did not recognize the time of your visitation. We say hindsight is 2020, meaning if only I had known then what I know now. Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem must have been one of those moments for the disciples. It had appeared to be such a wonderful day for them, and it was, but for different reasons than they realized. The disciples weren't the only ones who had misconceptions about the Messiah. Many Jews expected him to be an earthly king. When the crowds heard Jesus was coming, they cheered, Hosanna, which means save now. They saw him as their new ruler come to bring salvation from political oppression. He raised the dead, so there was no doubt he could also restore David's kingdom and free them from Roman rule.

3:05Seated upon a donkey, Jesus resembled a ruler returning to a city in peacetime. One who's subjects would have lined his path with coats and palm fronds and celebration. Even the Pharisees were there, watching an Ignatian and saying, look, the world is going after him. This week, think back to times when circumstances turned out to be something you didn't expect or when you realized God was different than you'd imagined. Look for an opportunity to share your insight with a friend or loved one.