It occurs to me this night that as we stand on the edge of a new week with Jesus, we do so with the same words of instruction spoken over us that were spoken over the disciples nearly 2000 years ago.
To go ahead into the village and to find a colt for Jesus. Not for his possession, but rather for his procession. For his entrance into a world that needs to know its Savior cometh. That the long ago and faraway mention of a Palm Sunday parade is just as real and vital today as it was back then. Jesus is still in the habit of mingling with his children. The stage may have changed, but the stakes haven’t.
Eternity still hangs in the balance. There is yet a need for his exposure, for his truth to make entrance in the hearts of a generation whose hearts are hungering for the redemption of a cross and the resurrection from a tomb. Palms and waving branches are not meant for the isolation of a calendared Easter. They are the worthy proclamation of our faith. We may not carry them in the streets of Jerusalem, but we are called to carry them into the streets of our tomorrows.
Our workplaces;
Our homes;
Our schools;
Our hospitals;
Our meals;
Our phone calls;
Our e-mails;
Our churches;
Our meetings;
Our interactions;
Our interruptions.
Wherever our feet land becomes the worthy soil of our long-standing tradition. An ancient understanding that supersedes pageantry to become the stage where the King makes his entrance and where his disciples stand aside to allow him his moment in the light.
Go, my friends, make the necessary preparations in your heart to present our Lord and Savior to the world this day. We are the living conduits of his grace and mercy—the vessels he uses to make his entrance into the hearts and lives of those who fill our daily routine. It doesn’t make good sense to choose us, for I imagine that most of us have failed along these lines throughout our journey with Jesus.
But the gift of a new day is knowing that we’ve been given a few more moments to live our faith better, to wave our palms higher, and to present Christ bigger. When the world asks us (for there are almost always a few questions surrounding an unexpected parade) why we are doing this, may the answer of our hearts, speak the courage of our belief…
The Lord needs it, and we need to do it for him.
For him.
Let the branches of our celebration wave in honor of our King. Carry him well, share him liberally, and celebrate the entrance of his love into your life with all the fullness your heart can hold. May the hosanna of your witness and the hosanna of mine blend in chorus to be the sweet music of heaven announcing Christ’s arrival to his created people. I’ll meet you on the streets of Jerusalem this week. As always…
peace for the journey,
Amen, amen.
Oh Elaine, I am embracing this with all my heart. My Pastor spoke a very similar message yesterday.
Not only will I meet you on the streets of my Jerusalem this week, but I have a divine Escort. I do not need to be terrified or discouraged in this 'going', for God is with me, strengthening my walk along the way.
Waving my palms,
Joy
Amen, amen and amen!!! Praise the Lord for the possibilities that each new day brings. The chances to bring His good news to a world in need. Hope you're feeling better and have a blessed day.
It is the stirring of my own heart: to live, and move, and have my being in Him, for Him. Less of me; more of Him. And that's never been more important than it's been now that I have arrived at this senior-juncture of my life.
Beautiful. Thank you.
Kathleen
P.S. I have to laugh. The security code I have to plug in to have this posted is "Scareysap". How funny!
What a wonderful way to begin the week!
Thank you sweet friend,
Melinda
wifeforthejourney:
To prepare our hearts and lives for the coming of the King is a timeless word that does not need to wait until Palm Sunday! May we all respond in obedience to Christ's calling on our lives.
Hope you are having a great morning,
love you,
~ Billy
I love how you say that Jesus is still in the habit of mingling with His children. And yes, may we each one be the fragrance of Christ wherever we go…
Blessings this week, Elaine.
Your writing gets more meaningful and special day by day. Thanks!
Love,
R&B
Amen Elaine!
Prepare the way, take him along… let him be my guide, my strength!
A friend once said "you might be the only bible someone ever reads"
Present our Lord to those people!
Wonderful post!
Oh Elaine, what a WONDERFUL post today! To be honest, I needed this today. I have to admit I just don't "feel" like showing Jesus to others today. It is too hard today, but God knew what I needed and gave me a good shot in the arm with your post! Waving my palm branch a little higher as I leave work today!!!
Hugs,
Lori
My prayer is that I would always do it FOR HIM and never for me. He is so worthy and I want to be faithful to POINT to Him always.
Leah
Hi friend, you were on my heart. I have been learning the tough lesson of letting go. I just boo-hoo'd through my last post on Meghan. Girl, when are we getting our oldest kids together? My tears would be much different!
…I keep meaning to tell you, I LOVE your new digs here. Lovely, just lovely.
Picked you for another award 🙂
Beautiful! What a wonderful post to begin our week…
"Let the branches of our celebration wave in honor of our King. Carry him well, share him liberally, and celebrate the entrance of his love into your life with all the fullness your heart can hold. May the hosanna of your witness and the hosanna of mine blend in chorus to be the sweet music of heaven announcing Christ’s arrival to his created people. I’ll meet you on the streets of Jerusalem this week."
I'll be watching for you…
Love,
Beth
I depart from here encouraged to hold His hand and live for Him!
"Go, my friends, make the necessary preparations in your heart to present our Lord and Savior to the world this day."
Elaine, this is what I want to do.
And exactly what the evil one doesn't want me to do.
And I blog about living for Him.
And sharing Him.
And loving Him.
And I'm not perfect.
And I'm struggling right now.
And I'm just blabbing on and on.
But I know that you'll understand.
Please pray for me.
Sweet dreams.
Thanks for taking a well-known story and bringing it new life, my friend!
I'm meeting you there, dear sister. He is so worthy, and I want my life to give Him glory! Your writing touches my heart so.
Love the new look Elaine! I'm glad for this change of seasons to be able to get back into summer-neglected routines. I look forward to joining you on the journey again.
Blessings,
Mary
Amen, my precious sister, a big, hearty "Amen!".
Praying that this autumn season will yield a rich harvest for you and your family. 🙂
I am one who is learning to enter in my daily moments with celebration and proclamation!
A wise reminder to us all, that this keeping is not reserved for a calendared moment. I will be looking for others in the crowd of this week.
Shalom,
Denise
Elaine:
Such TRUTH here in this post. I was hit afresh by this phrase you wrote:
"to become the stage where the King makes his entrance and where his disciples stand aside to allow him his moment in the light."
I have to ask myself, "Do I do that everywhere I go?"
I desire to… but I know that I don't always. He's teaching me… and hopefully – I'm learinng.
Humbling post.
Choosing JOY, Stephanie
[JESUS – For His Name's Sake]
Hey Mrs. Elaine, thanks for your post on my blog:):) I know that if I'm going to be a good momma, He will have to make me that way and keep me that way, praise Him!:) I see what you are saying here, we need to go into each day with a gospel-orientated mindset, following after Him and reaching out to others. Serving Him by obeying His command to go into all the world…
Love in Him, Blessings, ((HUGS)) to you today,
katiegfromtennessee
I love how God speaks to me though your powerful posts!! Thank you!
And, I read your post on running!!!!!!!!!!!!! How could I have missed that??? Love it, and I agree with you!! Miss you!
Hugs,
Susan
You've created such vivid pictures for me with your words! I'm hittin' the streets of my "city" buoyed by the inspiration from your post and in the power of the Holy Spirit.!
Yes, yes!
So beautifully said, Elaine! I strongly feel we are all called to do this… regardless of who we are or where we go. It is our mission and our calling as Christians… to carry His name to the world around us!