PALM SUNDAY: LECTIONARY NOTES FOR MARCH 16

Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:1-11 Amidst Loud Hosannas, King Jesus Enters Jerusalem Riding Donkey
TERI: 1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."
4This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

ERIC: 5"Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "

TERI: 6The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

ERIC: "Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"

TERI: 10When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"
11The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Notes: It's hard to see the bright vision of Christ's triumphal entrance - this temporary foreshadowing of eternal glory - without seeing the contrast with Christ's dark humiliation; the glory was deserved, as Matthew takes great pains to point out in his linkage to prophecy fulfillment, but the humiliation which followed - Jesus' betrayal and death - was necessary. It is also instructive for us: the Philippians 2 passage is more than a great articulation of the mystery of Jesus Christ's dual nature, his shared divinity and humanity; it is Paul's instruction to the Philippians - and to us - on how to be in relationship to one another. Christ's followers amassed around his potential glory; they scattered during the time of sacrifice; what about us? This is a personal matter for individual believers; it is also a communal and institutional matter for congregations and the greater Church, wherever she is called simultaneously to exalt Christ and bow down in Christ, assuming his posture of service and sacrifice. The good news: we have a Savior and Lord who did this for us; we have a God worth exalting; the challenge is for us to follow.

Children's Ministry:
In walking through this story with children (including, perhaps, the Philippians 2 passage in addition to the Gospel reading), it might be helpful to imagine times/places in life - school, sports, home - where we feel "exalted" and others where we feel humiliated. Questions: Why, and how, do we accept, or live through, both situations? How does the praise/celebration on Sunday mornings contrast with the lonely, difficult times during the week? If we are humble in our relationships with family, friends, even "enemies", will we be OK? Have you ever imagined being the star of a parade, as Jesus was that day? Was Jesus tricked by this "parade"? What was he thinking/feeling? What made Jesus popular, and how might Jesus have used that popularity differently (assuming the later part of the story, where Jesus is betrayed and abandoned)? What special powers did Jesus set aside? Are there situations where we might set aside our own strengths or rights, in order to help someone else be strong or healthy?
Text question: why was it important for Jesus to be riding on a donkey? Where was that picture seen before (Old Testament prophecy), and why would people care?

Game/illustration suggestion (just an idea; don't pursue if it seems off the mark...or psychologically damaging): bring something sweet to eat, but hand it out to only one child; before they consume it, ask them how they feel as the "chosen" one - the star of the parade; ask the others how they feel, not being chosen. Ask the "chosen" one if they will share. If they will, great. If not, it's OK; don't force sharing. Reveal that you have enough to give each child. Presenting this scenario forces kids to think and feel things related to privilege, sharing, setting aside something valuable, etc.; also how when you set aside your "rights" in faith, the Lord ultimately provides; he shares with us; it may help kids experience feelings of how we share in Christ's sacrifice...

If you can think of a game/illustration which gives one of the kids "powers", but asks for them to set them aside, in order to do something with, or for, the other kids, that would probably hit the target more accurately than donuts/candy. But I can't think of anything at the moment...

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9 (Stefanie Anderson)
4 The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
5 The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears,
and I have not been rebellious;
I have not drawn back.
6 I offered my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
I did not hide my face
from mocking and spitting.
7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.
8 He who vindicates me is near.
Who then will bring charges against me?
Let us face each other!
Who is my accuser?
Let him confront me!
9 It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me.
Who is he that will condemn me?
They will all wear out like a garment;
the moths will eat them up.

Notes: A declaration of confidence in the face of persecution; a statement of determination in faith; spoken from one in touch with "the word that sustains the weary", one whose ear is attentive to how the Spirit strengthens, encourages (v. 4, 5); a reading which bears testimony to how God sustains his prophets, leaders, workers; a reading which challenges us disciples to stand fast, but not out of our own strength - which would fail under pressure - but in close communion with the Lord; link to a prayer - perhaps as a response to supplication, or as an intro to confession (confessing spiritual distance from God, in contrast to the strength/faith of Isaiah)

Psalter Reading: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
ONE: 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
2 Let Israel say:

MANY: "His love endures forever."

ONE: 19 Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD
through which the righteous may enter.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.
22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone;

MANY: 23 the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
ONE: 25 O LORD, save us;
O LORD, grant us success.
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.

MANY: From the house of the LORD we bless you.

ONE: 27 The LORD is God,
and he has made his light shine upon us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.

MANY: 29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Notes: A great Call to Worship and Invocational reading; call and response; If children have boughs or palm fronds, it would be great for them to raise them up during an ensuing song, or raise them every time the congregation (MANY) is reading....


Epistle Reading: Philippians 2:5-11
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Notes: the contrast between Christ's glory and humiliation hits home when you put his triumphal entry next to his crucifixion; this reading could easily wrap into the sermon