Tell me about Palm Sunday

Saturday I was riding in the car with Ven. On our way to softball practice we passed several church signs that advertised Palm Sunday. This advertisement raised some questions inside me that until Saturday I never thought were present.

I asked Ven “What is Palm Sunday?” Of course Ven being Ven he began to give the theological answer. I replied with the same question “So, what is Palm Sunday?” He tried to give the same answer but using elementary words probably thinking I must be out of mind. I rudely interrupted, like always, and asked again “So, what is Palm Sunday?” I’m sure Ven never gave Palm Sunday a thought either. It is something that is accepted as something churches normally advertise. I’m sure almost everyone has heard of Palm Sunday (Matthew 21 and Mark 11). I think my fascination with these passages is when the disciples were able to say the animal is for the Master and it was released to them. This shows me that God places people in the right place at the right time.

Ven and I really began to discuss Palm Sunday. Yes it is known as the “triumphal entry”. Basically Jesus is ushered into Jerusalem with a crowd of people waving branches and garments.

Back to what is Palm Sunday? Let me see. This is a bunch of people bringing Jesus into their culture with a huge celebration. I’m sure it was people that knew Jesus or at least thought to have believed in his message. Why would anyone else join in the crowd? Yeah there could have been some viewers that were curious. So all these people front and back surround Jesus, while he is riding on a pack animal, singing how he is coming in the name of the Lord. Of course this is prophesy fulfilled and tells me it needed to be done. There are many fulfillments of prophesy but why do churches advertise Palm Sunday almost the same way as Easter? I think we may need to take another look at this day. I’m sure some churches are taking another look at this day and re-work the name. The name going around could be Passion Sunday which is the last Sunday before the Passion.

Here is my take after having a conversation with Ven. Everyone surrounding Jesus was singing while laying their garments and branches on the ground before Him. What a media frenzy this could have been! Can you imagine if this happened today! Even though this is kinda strange to me the strangest thing is what happens later in the week. While Jesus is on trial not one of the celebrators stepped up and tried to defend Him. Now I know He was going to be crucified any way but why couldn’t someone stand up for Him? Why wasn’t there a riot in the streets declaring He is the Christ? Maybe because Jesus, within just a couple days, showed everyone He didn’t fit their mold, their box or their blueprint for a Messiah. Could Palm Sunday be a day to celebrate hypocrisy? I mean when you say one thing and then just hours later you do another shows hypocrisy, correct? What are we doing as a church when promoting Palm Sunday? Are we confirming to the un-churched that we are hypocrites? Ok so maybe it’s a way to trigger some minds to get them to come to church on this one particular day. I can’t give into promoting one Sunday as more special than another just to get someone to come to church. Would that make me guilty of loving with an agenda? I refuse to promote the traditional celebrations that un-churched people have no idea about. Some churched people might not have an idea about some traditional celebrations? I mean I can go on. What does advent really mean to most people when they read it advertised on a sign? Cantata, what in the world is this? Why can’t we be real enough to call it a musical? Or does displaying “musical” on a sign show to much of what some may call the “world”. The message Jesus has is about Love, Peace, Mercy and Forgiveness. It’s not about celebrating a special Sunday. This marketing thing is driving me crazy! Show love without an agenda and watch what happens! Happy Passion Week (see it doesn’t make sense). -chuck