Laying Down Our Palm Branches

Are you “into” getting autographs?  

I recently read an article in which a reporter told his story about interviewing celebrities, athletes, artists, and business moguls. Of particular interest were their perspectives on the public and especially, people wanting autographs.  Each person recounted how flattering it was to be asked for their autograph. However, all agreed that it is sometimes annoying to get repeatedly interrupted during a meal, while shopping or on an outing with family for a few whisks of ink.  One celebrity asked, “What does our autograph mean?”  He continued, “I don’t take it very seriously, because I’m skeptical about the public’s intent.  My signature is nothing more than a novelty.  A conversation piece among friends.  Who we are as people is rarely given any consideration.” 

The Christian calendar marks today as Palm Sunday (John 12:12-19).  It is the day that signals the final week of Jesus’ life before he dies by crucifixion outside Jerusalem on Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. And, it anticipates his resurrection on the following Sunday (Easter).  The accuracy of the Christian calendar notwithstanding today is the day Jesus road into Jerusalem on a colt surrounded by chanting celebrants who anticipated the arrival of David’s kingdom.  It is traditionally referred to as the “Triumphal Entry.”  But, be careful of that description.  The title presents us with something very different from the reality of the experience itself.  The reporter’s article comes to mind again. 

The day Jesus road into Jerusalem, the air was thick with ideas about God’s purposes and how they would unfold.  The truth was something else altogether.  Shouts of “God save us” (Hosanna) meant one thing to the people but something completely different to Jesus, the lamb who would take away the sin of the world. Many people followed Jesus because they had been present when Lazarus was raised from the dead.  Triumph was in the air!  But, what did triumph really mean?  Who was Jesus…really?  Powerful personality? Legendary figure?  The one who will make the Jewish nation great again?  Rome’s destroyer?  Our champion?  It all depended on who you asked that day.  Euphoria has many faces.  Some of the same voices that shouted "Hosana" on Sunday would side with a mob that shouted "crucify him!" only five short days later.

As we travel this week and think about laying our palm branches before the Lord, palm branches of confession, praise, hope, ministry and righteousness, what do we really know about him?  As we speak about church, kingdom and such, what fills our minds as we think about being God’s people today…Jesus’ people?  Do our palm branches announce “blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" as we understand him or do they welcome him out of a true understanding of his power, majesty and mission for the healing of the nations?  Does our "hosanna" have room for a discipleship shape by kingdom as he defines it?  The first perspective makes this week our version of triumph wrappd in naivete.  The second one invites us to conform to the implications of his ministry, cross and resurrection.  

The four gospels do not record Jesus giving an autograph.  But, they all record him saying, “Come follow me.”  What might that look like for you and me this week?

O Lord, as we lay our hearts before you this week in humble reflection may the praise it gives birth to come from a true understanding of who you are and what we are called to be as your servants.  Amen.

Randy Daugherty

Stephenville, Texas