Why a Donkey?: A Palm Sunday Reflection by Brad A. Martell

What did the people who heard that Jesus was entering into Jerusalem expect to see?  They were accustomed to seeing grand spectacles of Roman generals and politicians processing through the streets of Jerusalem.  The Judean governor, Pontus Pilate, and his soldiers entered Jerusalem from the west, riding on spirited war horses, dressed in armor and shiny helms, beating war drums, and waving legion banners.  It was a show of pomp and power through sword and shield. It was a bludgeoning reminder of Rome’s occupation and rule over Jerusalem and the Jewish people.   

In contrast, Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was nothing like this.  The four Gospel stories describe Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey or a colt from the east through the villages of Bethphage and Bethany.  Jesus sent two of his disciples to go and untie the donkey they would find and bring it back to him.  The disciples laid their cloaks on the donkey’s back and helped Jesus get on.  As Jesus rode into Jerusalem people came out to see him.  They spread their cloaks upon the ground before him.  Others had cut leafy branches and spread those upon the road as well.  Shouts of “Hosanna!” and “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” filled the air with the waving of more palms as Jesus approached the path down from the Mount of Olives.     

The images found in the stories of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem are even more powerful than Pilates’s parades.  The symbolism of the plain and humble animal Jesus rides depicts the prophecy as told in Zechariah (9.9-10) of a king who comes in peace and humility.  The disciples care and honor for Jesus are expressed in their preparing the donkey and helping him.  The praise and honor are continued through the multitude of people by the laying down of their cloaks and palms as an offering before Jesus.  The waving of the palms and shouts of “Hosanna” symbolize the coming messiah and God’s salvation.  Additionally, the Mount of Olives, although only briefly mentioned in these stories is a significant place for Jesus and his disciples throughout the New Testament and builds upon the stories and prophecies found in the Hebrew Scriptures.  The Mount of Olives was on route to Jerusalem from the east.  It’s named for the olive groves that once grew upon its slopes.  And we know that an olive branch is used as a symbol of peace. 

The Mount of Olives was a place of refuge and preparation for Jesus and his disciples in many ways.  Not unlike our special places where we have spent time along our Lenten journey to pray and draw closer to God.  The Mount of Olives is where Jesus went often to pray alone and with his disciples.  It is a place where he instructed his disciples about the future and coming peaceable reign of God.  It was where Jesus prayed and asked God for the strength and will to face his coming suffering and crucifixion.  And it was in the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives where Judas betrayed Jesus, Peter struck a soldier with a sword, Jesus’ rebuke of Peter’s violent action, and Jesus’ healing of the soldier’s wounded ear.  For Jesus and for us the Mount of Olives symbolizes a place of prayer, preparation, humility, healing, and peace. 

So, why a donkey?  Because Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, that we along with Christians from around the world celebrate on Palm Sunday, the sixth Sunday of Lent, and the beginning of Holy Week, is a lesson about humility and peace.  It is not about pride, power, or pomp and circumstance.  It is a lesson that our discipleship be one of embodying the humility and peace of Jesus Christ.     

As you continue on your Lenten journey toward Palm Sunday, how have you experienced the humility and peace of Christ?  How have you shared Christ’s humility, healing, and peace with others?  

Scriptures: Mt 21.1-11; Mk 11.1-10; Lk 19.28-40; Jn 12.12-19 NRSV    

WHO MADE YOUR DAY? by Kathy Jones

Psalms 118:24  This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

    This wonderful scripture has been read, memorized, used in sermons, printed on pictures and posters and even tattooed on bodies.

     This may be one of the most well-known scriptures, but like anything we see and hear many times, we can become desensitized to its truth.

   A few Sundays ago I got up early to prepare potluck food and go over my class study material that I teach and reread the sermon I was assigned.  On my way to church I picked up two four old twins and their six year old brother. When I got to church, I put my potluck food away, tried to keep track of the twins, arranged the chairs for class, then went into the sanctuary to set up the worship center and lay out my sermon materials on the pulpit.

   Class went well, the kids found their class, the worship hour was blessed, the potluck delicious. Then, there were dishes to be done and potluck to clean up, after which I was asked to give an administration. I found someone to watch the children and taking a deep breath, tuned my heart away from the busyness of the day and focused on the person in front of me, asking God for help with a serious health concern. 

    By the time I was heading out of town for the 45 minute drive home, I was exhausted.  The day was gone. Time to read the paper, fix dinner and get to bed.

    In the busyness of the day, I forgot to rejoice and be glad that I had another day God made for me. I lost track of rejoicing and filled my day with a hurried pace.

   My husband and I were recently in charge of a funeral service for a young man who passed away suddenly at age 25. He was an only child. The funeral was held at a large church in our community and there were about 500 people in attendance.

While there were tears, laughter at stories told by his friends, and hugs all around, the entire audience was brought to the realization that each day we have is precious.

   One of our elderly ladies at church walked through the doors, dressed in her Sunday best, and smiling. When I asked how she was, she replied, “Well, this is the day the Lord has made, and I am alive and I can come to church.”  She was embracing the gift of having another day to tell her family how much she loved them and to share in worship with a church family she knew well.

   When we feel the joyful contentment of life, we are living the scripture in Psalms 118 and not only do we laugh louder, feel more healthy and let our positive energy affect others, but we rejoice because the day God gave us is a blessing.

  Sometimes it is hard to celebrate when life seems to bring us challenges. Some challenges are life altering and we can’t rejoice for the day.  Dark clouds close in on us. Our hearts are broken. Our spirits weak.

    I have a sign on my wall which reads: “When you can’t see God’s hands, trust His heart.”  God lives in all our days – not just the happy moments, but the difficult ones as well.

   Psalm 56:8 “You keep track of all my sorrows; you have collected all my tears in your bottle.”  I love this scripture because it is one of many which reassure us that God knows us personally.

   Trust God’s heart.  Trust that the day will come when you will rejoice and be glad again.

   Have you ever had times when you realize for a single moment, life is good?  It may be a family gathering, or coffee with a friend, or a day where all the pieces fit together.  I think about sitting at campfire during Samish Island Reunion, with the sunset blazing orange and yellows and the water reflecting its glow. We laugh at the skits and sing of God’s love. In that one instant, whatever is going on back home or in the world, it is a single moment of how good life is.

    We have a lot of blessed moments but unless we stop and rejoice in their existence, we miss them. If we rise each day with a personal focus on the good things around us, we will find ourselves rejoicing for the day God gave us.  Other days may come and go which are not so perfect, but in the midst of every day, God sends us drops of joy.

    The stranger who opens the door for you when your arms are full of groceries, the sound of children’s laughter as you walk by the school, the song on the radio which reminds you of a happy event, a phone call from a friend, the hug from your child or grandchild, the beauty of snow on the mountains. Drops of joy are all around us.  Can you see, feel, smell, taste, and hear them?

     “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” I pray you will find the blessings in each day.  

Believe by Lavera Wade

Believe:  to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so. Dictionary.com

As I am writing this it is snowing, and Christmas is just days away, the wonder of the season fills the air.  We have been celebrating the promise’ of advent for many weeks, the celebration of the miracle of Christ’s birth is near.  Nothing shows Gods amazing Love and Power like this miracle.

John 2 1-10 tells of the miracle when Jesus changed the water to wine.  The book of  John continues to tell of  many miracles Jesus performed while with us here on earth.    As Christians we believe in the miracles recorded in the bible, we believe in God’s Love and power.

Miracles continue to happen all around us.   William Cory Stanley wrote:  Many  of us are looking for a burning bush, or waiting for our ship to come in, and we fail to see God’s little miracles .  It is the seemingly insignificant moments that remind us of his presence.  We must take the time to notice the little road signs leading us in the right direction. 

I moved to San Diego in the spring of 1984,  and needed to find work right away. I signed up for a housekeeping service to bring in cash while hunting for a full time position.  One of my first customers was Mary Cavanagh.  Mary and husband Ed had no family in the San Diego area.  Mary had just had surgery for late stage colon cancer.  As soon as I arrived Mary mostly bedridden, began asking questions about where I was from.  When I told her I had just moved here from Skagit County, Washington Mary became very excited as that was where she grew up. Mary’s mother was a logging camp cook and Mary had grown up in the Cascade Mountains as her mother followed the logging camps for work. Mary was an only child.  Ed, Mary’s husband was a career Army Airforce Officer and they had been stationed in Georgia and then Hawaii after WW 11. They had moved to San Diego when Ed retired, and did not seem to have many close friends.  Mary talked continually about where she grew up, she was thrilled that I had been to all the places she talked about, and soon treated me as a friend.     

After a few months Mary began to share with me about her life, she continued to share how she had become an alcoholic and had kept her drinking a secret from her husband Ed.   At the time I was five years sober from my own problems with alcohol, and my story was very similar to Mary’s.  I shared with Mary about my own recovery and most important to Mary my certainty that God Loved us both even though we had had trouble with alcohol.  Mary passed away peacefully less than six months after we met. Her husband Ed and I were the only ones at her graveside service.  After Mary passed I come over to help Ed and he told me to take anything of Mary’s I might want.  Her jewelry included two small diamond rings and a jade ring.  I told Ed they were valuable, but he insisted I take them.  I had the diamonds mounted into earrings and wore them every day for many  years as a reminder of where my life could go if I drank again.  I do not wear them every day any more, but when I do I  always think of Mary and the gift God gave her and I,  when he sent me to share his love with her.                  

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”  Albert Einstien

 I have read that a coincidence is a miracle God does not take credit for.  I believe I was sent to bring Mary peace.  There have been many seemingly insignificant moments in my life that remind me of God’s presence.  I am sure your life has likewise been filled with coincidence’s that spoke loudly of the Holy Spirit working in your life. 

I have every confidence in the truth, the existence and the reality of God’s Love and Grace, some might say I do not have absolute proof that God is real, I Believe I do.