This Sunday is known in the church as Palm Sunday. Churches around the world will gather this Sunday to remember Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem in which palms were waved in celebration of what people assumed would be a triumphant liberation. The New Testament stories of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem draw heavily on the images found in Psalm 118. We’ll root our worship this Sunday in Psalm 118 as we gather for Palm Sunday to mark the beginning of an entire week in which followers of Jesus are invited to remember his passion, or suffering in those final days.
Nancy Koester writes, “In its ancient Jewish context, Psalm 118 was most likely an entrance liturgy to the Temple, used at the festival of Passover. It proclaimed God’s deliverance from Egypt and, later on, from the Exile.'”
Psalm 118 would likely have echoed in the hearts and minds of the ancient followers of Jesus as he entered Jerusalem and faced his final days. Our worship series this Lent has invited us to reflect upon being BROKEN OPEN. As we move toward the final week of Lent, perhaps we hear the echoes of people who’ve been broken open before us through Sacrifice, Generosity, Discipleship, Authenticity, Solidarity, and Trust.
How has your understanding of being “Broken Open” evolved through our Lenten journey? What echoes from this worship series resound in your heart and mind? What questions persist?
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