Lectionary for Palm Sunday
The stone the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; how marvellous in our eyes. Psalm 118:22-23
Collect. Almighty and everlasting God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility. Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading. Philippians 2:5-11. There are many things in the bible that stand out against the way we often conduct our lives and if we grasp the overall meaning of this short passage we see that this is one of them. Our society is so often focussed on achievement and success. Nothing wrong with that but these twin themes are often attained through effort and pushing ourselves forward. We live in a competitive world and most often success results from being the superior competitor. The girls from St. Trinian’s so succinctly put it, “Those who draw the sword last always come of worst”. (Belles of St. Trinian’s. 1954). In contrast the bible gives no guarantees about achieving wealth and power, only that the person who is prepared to be obedient to God will achieve the purpose that God has for them. Jesus never strove for worldly achievements but strove to serve God. It was this obedience to serve that brought him Godly recognition. It also brought him worldly distain, at least from the ruling elites, a distain which leads him inevitably to his death on a cross.
Paul then as he writes this passage to the church at Philippi is reminding all believers that Jesus lived out his life to a very different rhythm from the one we so often choose. He was a very active human being yet on every step of his ministry journey pleasing God was what guided his actions. He faced both the joys and the sorrows of life consistently trusting in God to lead him through.’ As I write this sentence there comes the realisation of how far I am from that ideal. Yet surely that is a part of what Paul is writing about. Jesus is the one who is in the place of highest honour, brought about through obedience to God. As a result every other mortal will, in the end, have to submit to the superiority of Jesus Christ, the Lord of all. Our passage is reminding us of the opportunity to willingly and joyfully to recognise Jesus as Lord, and if not we will do it under duress. Paul is very clear, living a life trusting in Jesus is the only way to success in life. Worldly achievement lasts for this life only, Godly recognition lasts for eternity. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6.
Prayer. Lord God, Holy Father, in your love you have called us through Christ to share in worship and service in your body the church. Trusting in the merits of Jesus Christ as Lord grant that we may in all circumstances seek and do your perfect will In all things we give you thanks and praise for all that Jesus has done on our behalf.. May we have the grace to live our lives trusting in you alone and serve you in humble obedience. We thank you for sending Jesus to be our Saviour. Help us to look to him every day. May we live our lives in ways that honour him, relying on the love and power that his new life gives to us. This we pray though Jesus our Lord. Amen
Reading. Matthew 21:1-11. Matthew’s description of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem strongly emphasises, on the one hand his Kingship; while on the other is the recognition of the prophetic nature of Jesus’ call. He is the vehicle for God’s intentions to be made known. Furthermore all through the description Matthew highlights the sense of high expectation. Many of us will be able to remember the picture that hung in many church Sunday school rooms of a vast crowd surrounding Jesus and waving branches and cloaks.
The crowd is not only welcoming Jesus as king and prophet but is also expecting him to act on their behalf to bring release from the bondage of Rome. The crowds mind is firmly on the victory of God to set them free from the tyranny of Rome. Sadly it was this failure to fulfil their expectation that led them to be so easily swayed against him in just a few short days. The crowd that shouted “save us now!” will soon be shouting “Crucify him!”.
The people who would have read Matthew’s record of the event would have understood the outcome very well for Matthew produced this Gospel perhaps as much as fifty years after Jesus had died. Thus he is writing about a past event in a social climate of deep religious unrest. By this time the temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Romans. This destruction would have caused a whole change of emphasis for the Jews. Without a temple the sacrificial system so vital to their religion had to be discarded. This posed some deeply significant questions for the Jews. Perhaps that is why Matthew is so keen to link his entire Gospel with the prophetic history of ancient Israel. We remember that at the beginning of his Gospel Matthew linked Jesus resolutely with Jewish tradition by naming Jesus as a descendent from Abraham and David. Matthew directly quotes the prophet Zechariah describing the king coming on a donkey and colt. (Zechariah 9:9) He also uses a quote from the great psalm of victory, Psalm 118 verse 26. From Matthew’s description the prophet/king Jesus is neatly placed in the prophetic promises of ancient Israel. In a troubled time Matthew’s description is one of hope for here we see that Jesus comes in peace and while he does not fulfil the crowd’s expectation his soon to be completed ministry will result in the true and godly message of salvation. It will be a salvation that brings both freedom and peace to everyone who believes in Jesus.
Prayer. Most gracious Lord, as we remember again the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ into the city of Jerusalem we also remember how quickly we can change our moods and our minds: how easily we are swayed and even sometimes turn away from honouring Jesus. Forgive us we pray for the times when our impatience blinds us to what you are doing. Help us to more sincerely trust you to lead us on in both good times and in hard times. Help us always to keep our eye on who Jesus is, the Lord and Saviour of all humanity. We thank you that he came and stood against the powers of evil and ungodliness. Grant Lord that we being consistently surrounded by his grace may be ready to stand with him. This we ask in his name. Amen
Collect. O Lord Jesus Christ, who as on this day entered the rebellious city where you were to die, enter into our hearts and subdue them wholly to yourself. And, as your faithful disciples blessed your coming, and spread their garments in the way, covering it with palm branches, make us ready to lay at your feet all that we have and are, and to bless you, the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen.
Collect. Jesus, King on a donkey, today you ride to shouts of ‘Hosanna’; soon, the cry will be ‘Crucify’. Strengthen us to stay with you to the cross as you empty yourself in love; and staying, may we kneel at your feet pierced for us; for you are the Saviour, now and for ever. Amen.
The stone the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; how marvellous in our eyes. Psalm 118:22-23
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