Palm Sunday

I grew up in Miami, Florida. Getting palm fronds to
commemorate the observance of
Palm Sunday was a simple task. Many folks, like
we did, simply went out to the back yard and collected as many fronds as we
could carry. We would take the greenery to church on Saturday in preparation
the next day’s services. On Sunday when we arrived at church, the center aisle
of the sanctuary was lined with green palm fronds. It was thrilling to imagine
the crowds praising Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem with the fronds beneath the
feet of his donkey. I remember also being in the children’s choir and walking
up the aisle singing “Hosanna,” with the congregation singing along
and smiling at the mini-spectacle. It was not until years later that I
considered the stark contrast between the celebration of Palm Sunday and the
outrageous blasphemy of Good Friday. Maybe it was because as young person I was
oriented to Sundays. The next Sunday, Easter, was also a celebration – the
celebration of the risen Christ. But as a child, I never thought much about the
horrific throng of Good Friday that exchanged the cries of “hosanna”
for the demanding chant of “crucify him”!!

There is a message for parents in this turn of events. On
Sunday, Jesus was celebrated as a King. On Friday, he was murdered as a
criminal. Things change–sometimes more rapidly than you can believe possible.
Your children may appear worthy of sainthood one day and worthy of something
quite the opposite just moments later. Through all of this, God has not
changed. His purposes and plans have not changed. This was true 2,000 years ago
in Jerusalem and it is true today where you live. Circumstances and behaviors
can change in the blink of an eye, but God remains trustworthy and sure.
Remember, God is faithful. Rapid changes do not catch Him by surprise. He
planned them for the good of his people. He planned them for your good.

 

1 O LORD, our Lord,
       how majestic is your name in all the
earth!
       You have set your glory
       above the heavens.

 2 From the lips of children and infants
       you have ordained praise 

       because of your enemies,
       to silence the foe and the avenger.

 3 When I consider your heavens,
       the work of your fingers,
       the moon and the stars,
       which you have set in place,

 4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
       the son of man that you care for him?

 5 You made him a little lower than the
heavenly beings 

       and crowned him with glory and honor.

 6 You made him ruler over the works of your
hands;
       you put everything under his feet:

 7 all flocks and herds,
       and the beasts of the field,

 8 the birds of the air,
       and the fish of the sea,
       all that swim the paths of the seas.

 9 O LORD, our Lord,
       how majestic is your name in all the
earth! Psalm 8 NIV

 

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