Put Your Palm 

Fronds Down!

     A short time ago none of us planned to be bound to our homes as news reports revealed facts concerning the Corona virus and announced approaching death. 

    I have some friends who are antivaxxers, those opposed to vaccinations. I have often told them, “You were not around for Polio, Measles and other diseases that had no boundaries.”      

     These diseases killed people from all ranks of life. Perhaps we all are now reminded what a pandemic is about and what researchers and vaccines do for us. Any medical treatment can have a poor outcome for some but a tremendous, positive influence for the majority is seen as victory. 

     Truly we are in difficult days but nothing what it will be like in the days just before Christ’s return. Do we carry a burden for those who have never come to know the Lord?  

     Across the years there have been those who are hurt or destroyed by organized religion. People got in the way and the ability for the Holy Spirit to heal and bring hope was destroyed. But fortunately most people find great help when they cry out to God. 

     This year’s sudden circumstance has caused us to refocus. It is not about new clothes, chocolate and ham dinners. We will not gather and sing “Up From the Grave He Arose” next week nor fill a church pew with our loved ones so Grandma can take home a prize. Instead we should realize it is time to be quiet and stay in our homes. Holy Week always faces us in a strange and stirring way. 

    The entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem is recorded in Matthew 21:1-11.  

     Take a moment to get your bible (please don’t skip this part). Find the scripture and read it. Now, read it again. 

    I purposely chose not to print the scripture in totality. I want all of us to be involved with the scripture. Let it sink in. Think, make questions, name in your mind your favorite part of the scripture. 

     Jesus was returning to a place of danger and he knew it. There was prophecy to be filled so the actions of Jesus had been written in the Old Testament in the book of Zechariah, chapter 9, verse 9. 

    Jesus came riding on the foal of a donkey, as foretold five hundred years earlier. It presented Jesus as Messiah, King. 

     If you have ever been to a parade welcoming home a winning sports team you understand the excitement. My parents took my brother and me to see the parade when a local high school won State! They call it Hoosier Hysteria in Indiana. There were no different divisions. Small schools faced off against large schools! Man, oh man. People, like Joe Morgan, got excited when a basket was made and shouted, “Atta boy!” The ultimate sign of approval. 

     It was the weary, worn Jews that welcomed Jesus, not everyone. There were no fire crackers, marching bands, sirens or clowns driving small cars like the parade my parents took me to. But there were excited people along the way into Jerusalem. They shouted and danced. Some took off their cloaks and others cut palm fronds and…… most didn’t wave them as we think but they put them on the ground for the colt, carrying Jesus to step on. They welcomed a King celebrating Jesus and shouting Hosannah, in Hebrew, הושיעה־נא, which means SAVIOR, RESCUE and HELP. As English speakers, we would not have understood the cry as called out in Hebrew nor the reason for such liberating calls. 

     When we arrived in Brazil we soon learned the term SOCORRO. Animated cartoon characters screamed it or a fair maiden tied to a train track yelled SOCORRO!!! HELP!!! It marked our minds as a word designating the real need for assistance. 

    The halls of heaven must have shook as God’s chosen people cried, HOSANNAH, HOSANNAH, HOSANNAH!!!

    Little did they realize that Jesus, their helper, was facing a sudden, stark change himself. Golgotha, a scull shaped hill outside the city walls of Jerusalem, stood waiting. But in that moment, this entrance day was a celebration! 

     Two sports teams enter an arena and bounce in with jubilance because they have played so hard to arrive at the final game. Their fans are excited as they see themselves as winners, which they are. But soon one team will claim victory and the other will go down in defeat. The joy will turn to tears, blame and frustration for half of the crowd. 

     Jesus rode into the city and knew that very soon his life would shift. His own team that he had spent three years training would run and hide in fear. 

    For a short time there was a buzz of excitement. So today get excited, allow the celebration of hope and excitement to vibrate. Join in and dance for joy because “The King Is Coming!” 

     “Oh God, help us, save us and set us free!” HOSANNAH! HOSANNAH, HOSANNAH! We need your HELP!

“The marketplace is empty
No more traffic in the streets
All the builders’ tools are silent
No more time to harvest wheat
Busy housewives cease their labors
In the courtroom no debate
Work on earth is all suspended
As the King comes thro’ the gate
O the King is coming
The King is coming
I just heard the trumpets sounding
And now His face I see
O the King is coming
The King is coming
Praise God, He’s coming for me
Happy faces line the hallways
Those whose lives have been redeemed
Broken homes that He has mended
Those from prison He has freed
Little children and the aged
Hand in hand stand all aglow
Who were crippled, broken, ruined
Clad in garments white as snow
O the King is coming
The King is coming
I just heard the trumpets sounding
And now His face I see
O the King is coming
The King is coming
Praise God, He’s coming for me
I can hear the chariots rumble
I can see the marching throng
The flurry of God’s trumpets
Spells the end of sin and wrong
Regal robes are now unfolding
Heaven’s grandstand’s all in place
Heaven’s choir now assembled
Start to sing “Amazing Grace”
O the King is coming
The King is coming
I just heard the trumpets sounding
And now His face I see
O the King is coming
The King is coming
Praise God, He’s coming for me.”*
Now receive this prayer:

“Father, Keep us safe in these difficult days. We cry out to you, HOSANNA come near and squelch our fears. HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST, calm our hearts and rescue us again as you rescue your people around the world. Speak, as we listen and give us insights into ways that we can help others. Give rest to doctors, nurses, specialist, hospital custodial and kitchen staff as well as administrators and all workers who set up new facilities and those who return to hospitals to carry the load. Lead the President, elected Senators and House members as they guide our country. Keep our hearts tender and heal our land and our world. Allow us to be remolded according to your will. Where there is weeping and sorrow bring a miracle of healing. Bless the people of Covenant church as we stay calm in our homes but ready to respond in ways that we may. We ask for these things in your majestic name, Amen.”

*The King is Coming

Songwriters: Charles Millhuff / Gloria Gaither / Willam J. Gaither