Waiting for my second worship service to start this morning
(The first was Airborne Chapel on Ft Benning), I thought for a while about Palm
Sunday. There is a darkness to the day
that I don’t think we discuss. We arm
our children with bright green branches and parade them through the aisles. We present out choral “hallelujahs” with
neatly pressed robes or by jumping up and down and swinging our arms
around. We present a contrast to the
angry mobs shouting for blood on Thursday night and Friday morning.
The shouting crowds in Jerusalem (and the doxology we sing
on Sunday) are not in contrast of the crucifixion of Friday. It is a few yards down the same fiver. We cheer God when God fits what we want. We turn to a murderous mob when God’s will no
longer fits what we find comfortable.
Luke explicitly tells us that the multitude of his disciples
cheered the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
At best, these people abandoned Christ.
No doubt many also called for his death before a Roman governor.
There is a darkness to Palm Sunday, but it is not just the
darkness of a crowd that turned on Jesus.
It is the darkness of our own hearts.
This morning, when Emily sat beside me in church she told me Isaac was with the kids for the palm procession. Please do not misunderstand my reflection. The procession and focus Dr. Elder took was a spiritually deep, biblically focused, thought-proving sermon. Basically, it was the type of sermon we’ve come to expect at FBC Columbus. His was a far more profound reflection than what has preceded my “disclaimer.”
The last couple of weeks have had a couple of firsts with my son. While visiting my family last week he got to go fishing for the first time. As you can see that one was somewhat successful. Those who have fished with me know it has nothing to do with my insight on what attracts fish. That part goes to my father and uncle. I mention this because we ate the fish tonight. 