Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:1-11

Who is this?  If you want to know one of the most important questions in the biblical story, here you have it.  

Who is this man whom many claim to be a prophet?  Who is this man who has performed many miracles but also caused many to call for his death?  To any bystander at the time, they would have known that Jesus choosing to enter Jerusalem on a donkey was a Middle Eastern sign of peace.  Jesus was not coming to Jerusalem with worldly power to start a war; for even a child can tell you that donkeys don’t win many wars.  Jesus was coming in divine power to teach and establish his Father’s peace.  

As we begin Holy Week, I want us to keep the question of, “who is Jesus” at the forefront of our minds.  I want us to think about the men and women who laid down their coats and palm branches declaring, “Jesus is Lord!”  As college students some two thousand years later, we are tempted to rush to the end of the story or recite to others what we have been taught ti be the right answer to the question of who Jesus is.  Sadly, what we often miss is that the Christian life is not a destination so much as a journey.  

The Christian life is a journey with real people in a real world with real problems towards a real heaven.  Later this week we will see real communion alongside real betrayal (Maundy Thursday), followed by real death (Good Friday), real silence (Holy Saturday), and real resurrection (Easter Sunday).  

So let me ask you, who is Jesus?  In a world lived through screens and tweets, what do your real relationships, real actions, and your real words say about Jesus?  If you feel you fall short, know that you still fit the criteria for a good disciple!  I’ll be the first to admit that I fall short of God’s intention and goodness every day.

This Holy Week, I invite you to reflect on this question for yourself but also with others.  Fall in love with Jesus.  Fall in love with this story.  Here is a wonderful article for those who are interested in learning more about the context of the story for Palm Sunday.  

Hosanna in the highest,
Alec