Palm Sunday reading at the beginning of Advent?
So, from time to time, I do like to inject a little religion into our conversation here at BD, so, today’s the day.
I was completely stoked yesterday that the reading for the first Sunday in Advent at my Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod parish came from Luke 19.
Yes.
Not Luke 1. Not even Luke 2. Luke 19.
Why is this cool?
Because so often in “reformed” Religion of modern America we forget the cross. We forget that a tremendous sacrifice had to be paid on behalf of Jesus for our sinful selves.
So, here we were, sitting in the pews of Trinity Lutheran in Norfolk, hearing about Christ seeking a colt to ride into the city of Jerusalem in triumph as the citizens cried “Hossana in the Highest!” a mere four weeks from celebrating Christ’s birth.
I’m excited about this because we are recognizing, by bringing this passage forward, that the arrival of Christ in Bethlehem has ALREADY happened and that the arrival of Christ in Jerusalem has ALREADY happened.
Christ has been born. Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again! Alleluia!
Looking at the cross and looking at his birth is an incredible comparison that is so often ignored as we celebrate Christmas, and I was glad to hear it yesterday.
That being said, another really striking paragraph from the Gospel jumped out at me.
From Luke 19, Christ sent some disciples into Jerusalem to get a colt that had never been ridden, untie it, and explain to the owner that “The Lord has need of it” as they take it away.
Think about that in modern times.
We’re being bombarded with commercials from Lexus for their “December to remember” sale, right?
What if someone buys a Lexus, brings it to their suburban home, three or four guys right off the city streets come to their door and ask, “give me the key’s to your car, the Lord has need of it”? Would the owner give it to them?
I’m thinking more along the lines that the police might be involved.
At any rate, just some food for thought as we enter this Christmas season and remember why it is we celebrate it – Christ died for our sins, rose from the dead for our salvation, and because of our faith in Him and the grace and mercy given freely by our Lord as taught by the scriptures, we are saved. And what a miracle it was that it even happened – like some random guy in Jerusalem giving up his new colt for the triumphal march into the city.
I hope you all enjoy this Christmas season and our “Advent”ure the next few weeks before we celebrate the birth that made us all free.
Category: Catch-All
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Great piece, Jim! We all forget from time to time what the true “reason for the season” is…a great reminder of what is truly important in our lives. My wife and I read the Christmas story from Luke 2 to our boys on Christmas morning…I think this year we will add Luke 19 to the mix. God bless you and Merry Christ-mas to you and all of my friends here on Bearing Drift!!
The glorious miracle and wonder of Christmas: God comes down to earth and dwells among sinful humanity. He humbly condescends to take on our flesh and live as one of us – He “tabernacles” with His people.
It is a constant wonder to me that the God of all creation came to us as a helpless baby, grew up, and then gave Himself up to die a savage, bloody, shameful and painful death on our behalf. We didn’t deserve it, but He loved us so much, that He gave Himself for us.
He died for our sins, and He rose for our assurance of salvation.
No greater gift has ever – COULD ever! – be given. I pray that we remember His sacrifice, and live lives of humble and grateful worship in recognition of and thanks to the Living God, who comes to save His people.
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Christ was born, Christ has died, Christ has risen. Christ will come again!
Hallelujah!
Well I wasn’t expecting to read this when I checked BD today but I’m so glad I did. Thank you for sharing that. Soli deo gloria!
Awesome! Yesterday during our Adult Bible Class on the lessons we had a good discussion about our response when Jesus comes to our lives and says to us, “The Lord has need of it.” I’m going to share your post with class next week.
Blessings
What a great message! God has given us everything and it is a thought provoking question, “What would we give to God if He had need of it”? Everything comes from God and belongs to God. We aren’t going to take anything with us when we go to be with Him. Thank you for the remembrance of the truth of the Gospel of Good News.
Thank you J.R. for motivating me to once again read the Bible.
You piqued my interest by calling into question how it was explainable that the people would shout Hosannas on Palm Sunday but later they would shout “crucify Him”. The preacher, on the radio, had an elaborate explanation for why this happened.
I think the explanation is much simpler. Motivated by you, I read further.
In Luke 23-13 we can see that “Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people”. Perhaps since so much leadership was called together and there was only limited room for the majority of the people, the cries of Hosannas were crowded out and the cries for crucifixion became dominant. The leadership ensured there was a stacked deck in the audience ready to call for Jesus’s death. The minority won out against the majority.
Thanks for motivating me to once again explore the Bible. There are some great lessons contained within are there not?
From Luke 19, Christ sent some disciples into Jerusalem to get a colt that had never been ridden, untie it, and explain to the owner that “The Lord has need of it” as they take it away.
As I have pondered this more today my questions I ask in the pool of reflection are these:
How fervently do I seek to hear God’s voice?
How quick am I to obey?
Some days better than others. The days not so good are the days I let the responsibilities in life overshadow the goodness of God and His plans in my life.
I want to do better and by His Grace I will.
LD,
Great point. I don’t think you can discount at all the political consequences of the “King of the Jews” being allowed to “walk” in Jerusalem.
What would that do to the credibility of the Pharisees and ruling class of the Hebrews? What would Caesar’s thoughts be to learn that his governor allowed the most prominent political figure of the time to continue His public ministry? Would the more rebellious followers of Jesus take it as a sign to begin armed insurrection if He was released?
Clearly these questions were on the minds of the “ruling class”.