Embracing Liberation: From Observation to Active Faith
Summary
On this Palm Sunday, we gather to reflect on the themes of liberation and participation in the divine narrative. As we journey through the Lenten series, we focus on the metaphor of imprisonment, both literal and metaphorical, and the call to embrace those who are marginalized or imprisoned by societal norms. The story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is not just a historical event but a call to action for us to move from the sidelines of life into active participation in God's work.
The narrative of Jesus sending his disciples to fetch a donkey is a reminder of the risks involved in following Christ. It challenges us to consider the secretive yet bold steps we must take to align ourselves with Jesus' mission. This act of obtaining the donkey was not a magical event but a deliberate choice to engage with the world despite the dangers. It invites us to consider what we are willing to risk for the sake of the Gospel.
We are reminded of the different responses to Jesus' entry: those who watch, those who are curious, and those who actively participate. This mirrors our own spiritual journeys, where we are invited to move from passive observation to active involvement. The story of Zacchaeus, who climbed a tree to see Jesus and ended up hosting him, exemplifies the transformative power of encountering Christ. It challenges us to consider how we might be called to step out of our comfort zones and engage more deeply with our faith.
The act of laying down cloaks for Jesus' procession symbolizes the relinquishing of our own protections and comforts. It is a call to vulnerability and openness, to lay down what cloaks us from the truth and to embrace the transformative journey with Christ. This Palm Sunday, we are invited to consider what cloaks we need to lay down to fully participate in the life God calls us to.
As we reflect on these themes, we are reminded of the ongoing march for justice and peace in our world. The story of Eleanor Marchman, who turned her grief into a march for peace, serves as a powerful example of how we can transform personal pain into communal healing. Her story invites us to listen for our own call to action, to hear the song of love and justice that Jesus sings to us, and to join in the procession that leads to new life.
Key Takeaways:
1. Risk and Faith: Following Jesus often involves taking risks and stepping into the unknown. The story of obtaining the donkey for Jesus' entry into Jerusalem reminds us that faith requires boldness and a willingness to engage with the world despite potential dangers. [46:40]
2. From Observation to Participation: We are called to move from being mere observers of God's work to active participants. Like Zacchaeus, who climbed a tree to see Jesus and ended up hosting him, we are invited to step out of our comfort zones and engage deeply with our faith. [50:14]
3. Laying Down Our Cloaks: The act of laying down cloaks for Jesus' procession symbolizes the relinquishing of our own protections and comforts. It challenges us to be vulnerable and open, to lay down what cloaks us from the truth, and to embrace the transformative journey with Christ. [43:30]
4. Transforming Pain into Peace: The story of Eleanor Marchman, who turned her grief into a march for peace, exemplifies how personal pain can be transformed into communal healing. Her story invites us to listen for our own call to action and to join in the procession that leads to new life. [01:09:23]
5. Invitation to New Life: Palm Sunday is an invitation to leave behind whatever cloaks our souls and to experience new life in Christ. It is a call to watch with Christ, sing Hosanna with the crowd, and offer all that we are to join in the life beyond imagining. [01:09:23]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Announcements and Community Engagement
- [05:00] - Introduction to Palm Sunday
- [10:00] - The Metaphor of Imprisonment
- [15:00] - The Story of the Donkey
- [20:00] - Risk and Faith
- [25:00] - From Observation to Participation
- [30:00] - The Story of Zacchaeus
- [35:00] - Laying Down Our Cloaks
- [40:00] - Transforming Pain into Peace
- [45:00] - Invitation to New Life
- [50:00] - Closing Reflections
- [55:00] - Communion and Contemplation
- [01:00:00] - Final Blessing and Sending Forth
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 19:1-10 - The story of Zacchaeus
2. Luke 19:28-40 - Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem
3. Luke 23:49 - Observers of Jesus' crucifixion
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Observation Questions:
1. What actions did Zacchaeus take to see Jesus, and how did his encounter with Jesus change him? (Luke 19:1-10)
2. In the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, what was the significance of the donkey, and how did the disciples obtain it? [46:40]
3. How did the people respond to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, and what does this reveal about their understanding of who Jesus was? (Luke 19:28-40)
4. According to Luke 23:49, who were the people watching Jesus' crucifixion, and what might their presence signify?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Zacchaeus' willingness to climb a tree and later host Jesus reflect a shift from observation to participation in faith? [50:14]
2. What does the act of laying down cloaks for Jesus' procession symbolize in terms of vulnerability and openness to transformation? [43:30]
3. How does the story of obtaining the donkey illustrate the risks and faith involved in following Jesus? [46:40]
4. In what ways does Eleanor Marchman's story of transforming personal grief into a march for peace exemplify the call to action in the face of injustice? [01:09:23]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like an observer in your faith journey. What steps can you take to become a more active participant, similar to Zacchaeus? [50:14]
2. Consider the "cloaks" or protections you hold onto in your life. What might you need to lay down to fully embrace the transformative journey with Christ? [43:30]
3. Identify a situation in your life where you feel called to take a risk for the sake of the Gospel. What bold step can you take this week to align yourself with Jesus' mission? [46:40]
4. Think about a personal pain or challenge you are facing. How can you transform this into an opportunity for communal healing, inspired by Eleanor Marchman's story? [01:09:23]
5. Palm Sunday invites us to experience new life in Christ. What is one area of your life where you feel called to leave behind old habits or fears to embrace this new life? [01:09:23]
6. How can you actively participate in the ongoing march for justice and peace in your community, following the example of Eleanor Marchman? [01:09:23]
7. Reflect on the different responses to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. How can you ensure that your response to Jesus' call is one of active participation rather than passive observation? (Luke 19:28-40)
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Risk in Faith
Faith often requires stepping into the unknown, taking bold actions that align with the mission of Christ. The story of Jesus sending his disciples to fetch a donkey for his entry into Jerusalem is a powerful reminder of the risks involved in following Him. This act was not magical but a deliberate choice to engage with the world despite potential dangers. It challenges us to consider what we are willing to risk for the sake of the Gospel, inviting us to take secretive yet bold steps in our spiritual journey. [46:40]
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to take a risk for your faith? How can you take a bold step in that direction today?
Day 2: From Observation to Active Participation
The journey of faith calls us to move from passive observation to active involvement in God's work. The story of Zacchaeus, who climbed a tree to see Jesus and ended up hosting Him, exemplifies the transformative power of encountering Christ. It challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and engage more deeply with our faith, moving from curiosity to commitment. This transition invites us to become active participants in the divine narrative, embracing the call to action that Jesus' entry into Jerusalem represents. [50:14]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can move from being an observer to an active participant in your faith community this week?
Day 3: Laying Down Our Cloaks
The act of laying down cloaks for Jesus' procession symbolizes the relinquishing of our own protections and comforts. It is a call to vulnerability and openness, to lay down what cloaks us from the truth and to embrace the transformative journey with Christ. This Palm Sunday, we are invited to consider what cloaks we need to lay down to fully participate in the life God calls us to. It challenges us to be vulnerable and open, embracing the transformative journey with Christ. [43:30]
"Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." (Ephesians 4:25, ESV)
Reflection: What is one "cloak" or comfort you are holding onto that prevents you from fully embracing your faith? How can you begin to lay it down today?
Day 4: Transforming Pain into Peace
The story of Eleanor Marchman, who turned her grief into a march for peace, exemplifies how personal pain can be transformed into communal healing. Her story invites us to listen for our own call to action, to hear the song of love and justice that Jesus sings to us, and to join in the procession that leads to new life. It challenges us to transform our personal struggles into opportunities for peace and healing in our communities. [01:09:23]
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a personal pain or struggle you are currently facing. How can you begin to transform this pain into an opportunity for peace and healing in your community?
Day 5: Invitation to New Life
Palm Sunday is an invitation to leave behind whatever cloaks our souls and to experience new life in Christ. It is a call to watch with Christ, sing Hosanna with the crowd, and offer all that we are to join in the life beyond imagining. This invitation challenges us to embrace the new life that Christ offers, leaving behind the old and stepping into the fullness of His promise. It is a call to participate in the ongoing march for justice and peace in our world. [01:09:23]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What is one old habit or mindset you need to leave behind to fully embrace the new life Christ offers? How can you take a step towards this new life today?
Quotes
"On the other hand, we all know those people, like me, who are a little bit too into Palm Sunday, you know. So you've got to thread the needle there with the right kind of enthusiasm but still keep your cool or be cool or whatever. So I want to talk about parades and letting ourselves go or holding back. And I want to think together about holding back in any kind of form as a sort of imprisonment." [00:40:35] (30 seconds)
"And I want to think about that invitation as a kind of metaphor as well to go wider with our perspective about what being inhibited, what being even locked up or dare I say chained means. It's been a long-standing metaphor in the church. I was thinking about a song I heard first in Australia, believe it or not, in this cinder block church written by Charles Wesley. And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior's love?" [00:41:10] (35 seconds)
"To bring you into the story so that you might risk embracing a prisoner or a stranger that someone else would rather you not embrace. There's a story that we stumbled across this past week. A friend of ours was hurt physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Someone in a group we were involved in with this other person reached out to put their arms around this person and just held them tight." [00:47:59] (36 seconds)
"And a gaggle of inspectors came up afterwards to say, what in the world were you doing embracing this person? This stuff exists all around us where we have to decide whether to go beyond the lines that keep us safe from that kind of approbation about who it is that we help. And we all know where those lines are." [00:48:58] (25 seconds)
"But some people went a little farther. I don't know, how many of us are toe dippers when we go in the water? I'm just going to admit it, right? And you know what? I'm not ashamed. That's just the way I do it. Yeah? Yeah. And then the waves come in. Yeah, this is sort of the toe dipping kind of involvement. You know, they were like, there was a song going on. And they were like, that's catchy." [00:49:41] (29 seconds)
"By the way, if that ever happens, you go, it's supposed to be a joyful noise. That's what I'm doing. We don't have to fight. But it's okay if you actually feel something here. That's what this is about. And one of the things we did this Sunday, I don't know if you've noticed. Has anybody noticed anything different with the lights?" [00:50:52] (23 seconds)
"Dan Potts told me, actually. He's a light specialist who worked with the lights in my grandmother's church. And he said, when you do this, you extend the stage. You are now the players. Huh? Get involved in you. Didn't even know you were involved. But you've known this all along. We don't need lights to do that. Have you ever been, like, hit right between the eyes in a moment of worship?" [00:51:34] (31 seconds)
"not me a donkey walking on it to make it a road in a way there was something powerfully symbolic you've heard the story of sir walter raleigh this is kind of like that have you heard the story of sir walter raleigh famous for right okay yeah he did it for love right and so did they and i want to i want to invite you to come think about we'll we'll never get out of the prison while we're clutching our cloaks whatever they cloak us from the truth there's a lot of that going on this day isn't it we're back to book burnings again because we want to cloak ourselves i've been receiving uh daily emails um when we when we did black history month we suggested a calendar and daily emails that chronicle throughout history that the various injustice injustices our country has perpetrated on people of color and sometimes i lack the strength to read it" [00:55:09] (73 seconds)
"when we just read recently was of a trailblazer in 1880 civil wars over black people are equal now he went to west point that was his first mistake they beat him bloody and tied him to his bed and how did the administration respond well they court-martialed him for not dying i guess and kept him in prison for over two and a half years i can't read this stuff especially the stuff that's not from 1880 but it's from 1980 and 2014 and 16 and yesterday but that's a cloak that i'm learning how to lay down and open my eyes and recognize that this procession this march is changing things and i can be a part of it that can be what my life can be about not just some lost cause so i wanted to close with a story that vicky found you heard vicky mentioned eleanor marchman it's an interesting kind of name by the way march" [00:56:23] (71 seconds)
"marched it's got a t in it too she's a mother of a son named coley who at 35 was beaten to death right around the corner in west rehovah and in the hours following his death the police contacted her and said there are a bunch of his friends that want vengeance and they want to there were five people that that beat your son and they are going to find them and hurt them or kill them and i we need you to reach out to them and at first in her pain and grief eleanor member of our church a mother grieving said i don't care and then the song began to sing that song that jesus sings to us over and over again not only do i love you right but jesus loves the god so loved the world doesn't make tribal or political or national or corporate distinctions but says you are all mine you can't ignore any one of your sisters and brothers she began a march she encouraged people not to seek vintage vengeance they did not and they marched for 10 years on the anniversary of coley's death from 2009 to 2019 and at the end she said this mother said do you hear there are no more mothers crying or weeping now that was her invitation her invitation can you hear yours can you hear yours" [00:57:31] (112 seconds)
"We have dwelt, not only on the triumphal entry, but on the days after. You have an opportunity to walk with us on Thursday evening at a communion service on Friday evening. It's a bold thing we do to call that day Good Friday. When the choir will offer a tenebrae service, it's a word that means darkness." [01:08:12] (28 seconds)
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