We are almost to Jerusalem…
As “mainline protestants” we are a week away from the season of Lent ending and entering into something called Holy Week. For those who are not a part of a historic liturgical church—church seasons seem odd and out of place because they are not found in the Bible. That point is true. However the reasoning behind church seasons is very Biblical.

Lent is the 40 day season (excluding Sundays) that prepares us for Easter if we choose to engage in the season. Lent is a time to fast, reflect and pray over our need for God in our lives. Dependence on God is very Biblical.

Why 40 days? 40 is the expanse of years the people of Israel wandered in the desert before settling in Canaan (soon to become Israel). 40 is the number of days Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting and praying before he began his ministry with the disciples. At the end of those 40 days, Satan tempted Jesus when he was at his weakest.

We too, can use what is left of these 40 days to prepare for the greatest event in human history: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. His death and resurrection wasn’t for himself or to seek attention; He did those things for us. God’s unbelievable love for humanity is the source of his sacrifice.

But like I said, we are almost to Jerusalem. A week from Sunday we will be celebrating and remembering Jesus arrival for the Passover in the capital city of Israel where the temple of God was located. Many pilgrims made there way to Jerusalem for the Passover meal and to celebrate within the walls of this city as a way of remembering their freedom from Pharaoh in Egypt from so many years ago. (Think Moses, the plagues and the Red Sea crossing from the book of Exodus).

It is in this setting that Jesus arrives on what we call Palm Sunday. But it also the day that they are instructed by the Jewish Law to select a lamb for the sacrifice and the meal. “Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.” Exodus 12:3

 The pilgrims and the residents of Jerusalem would leave the city and go out to purchase a yearling lamb on the day Jesus arrives. It is a day of celebration and joy. There would be thousands of people outside of Jerusalem securing their lamb for Passover from shepherds in the surrounding hills. It was also customary to recite the Hallel during this week. The Hallel is a prayer/song of praise. Specifically, the Hallel is Psalm 113-118.

Why is this important? Because these words are found within the Hallel: “O Lord, save us (Hosanna); O Lord, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.” Psalm 118:25-27

 Some of the very words the gospels quote as Jesus enters the city. Notice that the psalm mentions having “boughs in hand” and a parade up to the altar at the temple. The people had palm branches as their “boughs.” As people purchased their lambs, they would then proceed to the temple to symbolically present them to the priest only to return in 4 days to have the lamb sacrificed for the Passover meal.

Jesus does the same thing. He arrives and presents himself at the temple only he tips over the tables of the moneychangers and those selling doves as a sign of God’s displeasure knowing that in a few short days, he too would sacrifice his life for humanity.

Remember the words of John the Baptist, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29b

 Palm Sunday is the beginning to a very Holy Week, yet Palm Sunday itself is full of symbolism and meaning.

As we come to the end of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week, let us not forget about the Lamb of God who is blameless and pure who offers himself as a sacrifice for our very souls.

As Passover is a celebration of freedom from captivity, Jesus’ death and resurrection is freedom from sin and estrangement from God.

God bless,
Pr. Ben