Christ United Methodist Church
March 28st 8:00 am service

      • Mark 11:1–11NRSV

  • He Has Made Me Glad
  • Gloria Patri
  • Beneath the Cross of Jesus
  • Doxology
  • I was trying to think of a good comparison today to how the poor, marginalized or middle class people of the time viewed Jesus but I could think of one. Our Political climate is so divisive and polarizing that no political leader or superstar has the same pull as maybe some had in the past. So I am going to have to ask each of you to use your own imagination when I use this analogy.
    Imagine hearing that this person whom you has heard amazing stories about who cares for the poor and listens to people like you is coming to town. You get an opportunity to meet this person who has been so inspirational to you. Maybe they sing a song that reflects your life, or they have played a role in a movie or two that you really liked. Now you get to meet them in person.
    Or, this is a person running for a political office that says all the things you believe in and you just know that this person is going to help us as a state or guide our nation in the right direction. This person is making a campaign stop in your town and you get to talk to them directly. How excited would you be?
    That is what it was like to welcome Jesus on that day He entered Jerusalem.
    Pray and Read Psalm 118:19-29
    Psalm 118:19–29 NRSV
    Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
    Think what it was like for the people coming to Jerusalem entering the city with Jesus. They heard about Him and all the things He had done. Most of them were convinced, I am sure, that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah and was coming to Jerusalem to reign as King David once reigned.

    Blessed is the One who comes in the Name of the Lord!

    This is exactly what the Pharisees feared most. None of them, with the exception of one or two who were not vocal about their belief in Jesus, like or supported anything He had done. Jesus was a renegade, someone who stirred up trouble causing people to question the powers and authority. To say that He was rejected, would be an understatement.
    To the poor and marginalized or less fortunate, Jesus was a superstar (yes, like the play.) Reading through the gospels, you see multiple times where Jesus was followed by hundreds or even thousands of people. They all wanted something. Some wanted to be healed. Some wanted to talk to Jesus about a problem they were facing, some wanted to learn more or hear more of His teachings. Others where fascinated by the crowds gathered and wanted to find out what was going on. So obviously, these two groups, the people and the leaders, were not always on the same page regarding the issues and needs of the time.
    Our world is divisive but the world at the time Jesus first walked was pretty divisive as well. This is why He came, to bring peace. He came to bring peace to all who love and follow Him. That includes us today! Jesus is again coming soon. Right now, we may be seeing difficult times, but Jesus pulls us together.
    We are not of this world, we are different. This is okay, because Jesus was different and we are striving to be more like Him daily.
    Peter in his letters references this 1 Peter 2: 4-6
    1 Peter 2:4–6 NRSV
    Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
    When builders are putting together a structure, they need each piece of stone or brick to match so that its completed form standing sturdy, beautiful. The builders are likely to reject a stone if it doesn’t seem to fit or look like the other stones. Yet, there is the cornerstone, that has the sole purpose of holding the structure together and it fits perfectly only in the spot it was designed for. The chief cornerstone is extra special because it is the highest piece and holds everything together. It does not fit anywhere else. It does not look like the other stones. Jesus is our chief cornerstone. But without Him, it all comes down. You see, the cornerstone is different by design. It is specially designed unlike the other stones, with the sole purpose of holding the other stones in place. Jesus holds His church together. We are built and being built in preparation for our King’s return!

    Wave Your Palm Branches!

    So, think about Jesus returning soon. Are you excited? Can you understand how excited the people where when he first entered Jerusalem? He first can in peace on a meek donkey. Next time he comes, He will be riding on a white horse, blood red robe and a tongue like a sharp sword, according to Revelations 19. All of our earthly enemies will be cut down; no more oppression, no more pain. Is that not exciting. Get your palm branches and wash your robes for He is coming. He is here to bring us Salvation.
    In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

      • Psalm 118:19–29NRSV

      • 1 Peter 2:4–6NRSV

  • Jesus, Name Above All Names
Christ Chapel
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