They brought the colt to Jesus. Then, throwing their coats on its back, they helped Jesus get on. As he rode, the people gave him a grand welcome, throwing their coats on the street.  Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed: “Blessed is he who comes, the king in God’s name!  All’s well in heaven! Glory in the high places!”

(Luke 19:35-38, MSG)

This Sunday we begin the long road to Easter.  Holy week is my favorite time of the entire church year!  I have always loved every moment of it from the pomp and pageantry of Palm Sunday to the solemnity of Good Friday to the celebration of Resurrection Sunday. 

There is something so special about Palm Sunday with the waving of the palm branches by the children as we sing and shout, Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna!  Such joy as we think about that moment in time when everything was possible…but soon everything changes.

As we gather on Maundy Thursday, we think about the disciples as they celebrate the Passover feast.  What joy they must have had around the table that so suddenly takes a sharp turn as Jesus speaks of what is to take place in the next few hours.  It is the somberness of Maundy Thursday that finds me catching my breath, as we share in the Last Supper, remembering the sacrifice Christ would make for us. 

Then comes the agony of the garden, as Jesus prays so hard he sweats blood.  There in the Mount of Olives, with Olive trees that are bent and gnarled, Jesus wrestles with what is to come.  It is there that he prays for us, for those that would follow.  It is there in the garden that he willingly accepts his destiny, the excruciating pain and agony that is to come.

From the Garden things move fast.  A trial, a mockery of a trial really, as Jesus goes from authority to authority with no one wanting to make the final decision.  Finally, after hours of standing and questioning, Pilate gives the final decision to the people…Crucify Him! The crowd that only a few short days earlier was shouting, “Hosanna”, is now chanting “Crucify Him!”

The long road then leads to the cross.  Capital punishment that was saved for the most heinous of criminals.  It is on that hill, on that cross, that Christ’s life had been leading from the moment of his birth.  “It is Finished,” were the last words he spoke that day.

But the story doesn’t end there…it is to be continued.  (I don’t want to spoil the ending!) 

Holy Week for me is about the anticipation of what is to come.  We know the story, we know the happy ending, but my challenge to us to not to rush to the end but instead may we sit together, with all the emotions that come as Jesus walks the long road ahead.  Palm Sunday is just the beginning…looking forward to starting this journey with you this Sunday!

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 
– Luke 19:38