Palm Sunday

Lent 6 Continued

Read Philippians 2:5-11

If there is anything in the New Testament which should bring us to our knees before God in praise and wonder it is surely these verses, for they remind us of what Jesus Christ has done for us by entering fully into our experience. Not only did Jesus come as a human being, but he laid aside every advantage and took to obeying God as the one true path. What this is trying to say is that Jesus was not simply God with a human outer shell but became in every sense human through and through. For we who are born as human beings this may seem simply exchanging one existence for another, but Jesus was Son of God and as such was all powerful. It was this sonship that was laid aside, and with it his right to rule, in order to bring us into God’s presence as spotless children of God. Not only did he lay aside his sonship but subsequently submitted himself to the full wickedness of humanity as he relied on God alone to bring about victory. He allowed himself to be used as the vehicle of God’s redeeming grace. Wickedness destroyed him but God’s power restored him as King of kings and Lord of lords. In Him we find our victory. Through him an amazing exchange takes place, we become righteous children of God, inheritors of all the riches God’s grace affords.

Prayer:

Most Holy and Eternal God, God of life and love, full of mercy and grace, we praise you for all that you have done for us in Jesus Christ. You speak a word and new worlds are created. You open your heart and we are bathed in love beyond all measure. You lift us above what we can think or dream, and we find new perspectives in living for you. You change our thinking and fill us with freshness and beauty. We thank you for offering to us more than we can ever dream or even believe. You have lifted us to stupendous heights and set us free to soar with you. With our feet on the ground but our hearts in the heavens we worship and adore you today. Through Jesus our Saviour. Amen

Read Matthew 21:1-11

This passage of scripture paints such a clear picture that we can almost see the spectacle of Jesus riding into Jerusalem. Just as the ancient text had foretold the king of glory comes in peace because he trusts in what God can do. Though Jesus has to face the most violent of ends, he still moves towards his fate with calmness. This means that neither the cheers of today, nor the jeers of tomorrow deter him. His eye is on pleasing God and allowing God to fulfil His will through Jesus. We may marvel in the obedience of Jesus, but a far greater marvel is the faithful and persistent love of God in actively seeking to bring to all of us a salvation which guides us into eternal life. This salvation, which could only be achieved through the complete offering of God himself: God did this through the cross, facing the full hostility of sin which has marred each part of God’s creation.

Prayer:

You come Lord, but not as conquering king but as one who comes in peace, not to stir us up but to set us free. Not to claim a crown but to lay down everything you ever had: With great reverence you offered yourself to be the full and perfect sacrifice which would confront all the powers and win the whole creation back into the hands of God. Lord as we reflect on that passage of scripture today we once more confess that we much prefer to go our own way and do our own thing. We want to do great things for you but most often we want to do them in our own strength and in our own way. Forgive us that we are so slow to learn. Bend our willing spirits to your will and purpose. Give us that overflowing of your Holy Spirit so that our hearts will be set on pleasing you before all other. Lord we do want to be profitable servants, teach us to walk in the obedience that you desire an obedience that leads to perfect fulfilment. Through Jesus our Lord, we pray. Amen

There are some things it is better to begin than to refuse even though the end may be dark. [J.R.R. Tolkien]

Lord God, perfect in us that which is lacking of your gifts; of faith increase it, of hope establish it, of love kindle it: and make us to fear but one thing only, that of fearing thee alone. So grant in us a steadfast faith, a cheerful hope in thy mercy, and a sincere love towards you and all humanity, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen [after Lancelot Andrews]