Kal's Korner 3.18
For the Week of Mar. 18th- 24th, 2018
The Word: Matthew 21:1-11
Matthew 21:5, ““Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, he foal of a beast of burden.’”
Can you believe it? Palm Sunday is here!
(I borrowed the following story from our dear pastor friend, Rev. Ed Krueger, Emmanuel, Clovis CA)
A few years ago, the devotional guide, Our Daily Bread, carried a story of a pastor who was also a traveling evangelist who rode a donkey as he traveled from village to village in Brazil preaching the gospel. One day the evangelist fell asleep in the saddle as he made his return home after a tiring day. A couple of hours later he was rudely awakened by the roughness of the ride. His donkey had left the trail and was walking through a rocky field. At first the pastor was angry, but he calmed down when he saw that they were almost back to his village.
When he arrived at his church, the pastor learned that friends had gathered to pray for his safety. A rancher who was opposed to the Christian faith had sent some men to attack the evangelist at a bend in the trail. They thanked God for causing the donkey to take a shortcut home.
Donkeys are interesting. They have been used as a working animal for at least 5000 years. Of course, the reason I'm focusing on donkeys is that the Old Testament Prophet Zechariah prophesied that one day the Messiah would arrive on a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 says, "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." Which is quoted by Matthew in chapter 21. And that is exactly what happened.
The disciples brought a young donkey to Jesus, threw their cloaks over it, and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
It is a beautiful story. It is a story of great humility. On the other side of the city, Pilate was entering the city on a great stallion, while Jesus was riding into the city on a young and unbroken donkey. A security force of Roman soldiers bearing swords and shields and heavy armor surrounded Pilate. Jesus entered the city surrounded by unarmed peasants waving palm branches, the symbol of peace. Pilate's soldiers sneered; Jesus' followers sang, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" No greater contrast can be made between the kingdom of this world and the kingdom of God. Brute force versus gentle peace!
Jesus was a man of great humility. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey, he set into motion events that he knew were irreversible. They resulted in his crucifixion and death. He did it out of love for you and me. "Greater love has no one than this," says John 15:13, "to lay down one's life for one's friends." We are Christ's friends. Not because of any virtue that we have, but through his amazing love for all God's children.
Join us this Sunday at St. Paul’s, March 25, 2018 @ 8:30 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. for “People of the Passion” Read these scriptures in advance!: Malachi 3:6-7a, Hebrews 13:1-8, Matthew 21:1-9, Matthew 27:1-4.
P.S. Don't forget –
Easter Choir practice
(last one on Tuesday, March 20 @ 7:45 p.m.)
Holy Week Worship
o Maunday Thursday Worship @ 7:00 p.m.
o Prayer Vigil Thursday - 8:00 p.m. – 12 Midnight.
o Prayer Vigil Friday – 5:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
o Good Friday Worship @ 7:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday
– April 1, 2018
o Easter Sunrise Worship @ 6:30 a.m.
o Easter Breakfast @ 7:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
o Easter Worship @ 8:30 a.m.
o Easter Egg Hunt 1 @ ca 9:30 a.m.
o Easter Worship @ 10:30 a.m.
o Easter Egg Hunt 2 @ ca 11:30 a.m.
