Palm Sunday

 

Of all the characters in the Palm Sunday narrative, I wonder who you most closely identify; the disciples, the crowd, the Pharisees? It’s easy for the would be disciple of today to look with scorn on the latter and their distinct antagonism against Jesus and his teaching. We even find them complaining about the disciples and the Hosanna band of pilgrims. Jesus tongue in cheek rebuttal put the Pharisees in their place when they complained about the noise of those who followed Him, “If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.” Luke 19:40 (the Message)

However, I recently read, that Jesus also cautioned the disciples against an easy rejection of the Pharisees. His advice to the disciples being that they are not to reject the Pharisees outright but are to be discerning and wise. In particular, perhaps we need to recognise ourselves in the Pharisee - the Pharisee in us? Maybe, we need to ask God to help us to resist any rejection of others and to seek to appreciate good wherever we find it. Why not meditate on the following by Roddy Hamilton as you consider your place of pilgrimage this Palm Sunday,

Did the stones know?

Did the stones know

they would soon have to shout ‘Hosanna’

because those who had first shouted it

would soon be shouting ‘Crucify’?

Did Jesus know?

Did Jesus know

that those who followed in this fickle crowd

would soon turn their backs

on the only hope they had

Did Jesus tell the stones?

Did Jesus tell the stones

that they would be needed to shout

for they alone knew

the secret of tombstones

Do we know?

Do we know when to shout

and when to hold silence

as the saviour struggles for love

and love struggles with him.

posted on Mucky Paws. http://www.nkchurch.org.uk/index.php/mucky-paws