Sunday, April 5, 2009

Cheers and Jeers

The Triumphal Entry "The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: 'Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ The King of Israel!” (John 12:12-13 NKJV) When Jesus came into Jerusalem, He already knew what was ahead and that He was going to die. I have to wonder what Jesus was thinking when He came into the city to people waving brances of palm leaves and shouting Hosannas. Was he thinking about how they would turn on him in the next few days, or was he hearing jeers instead of cheers? Was He feeling wounded and mocked by false admiration? But then we also have to turn and look at ourselves as part of that crowd. Are we going to be in the crowd that turns on Him, are we going to walk away from Him when Jesus is hung on the cross, because it's too painful, too much to bear to watch, or our hope is lost...or, are we going to be like the women who stayed until the end, then took the time to properly bury him, visit His grave, and then in one glorious, miraculous moment know that it's not the end...just the beginning (as some religions, like mine, believe). What would be the loving response? That is what we are called to do, and to be? We are to love without ceasing, believing ALL things. Love, Beau