A Time to Celebrate!

St. Mark 12

I remember the day when the words came over the radio... "World War II is over." I lived in a little community of five houses. The men of the homes were scattered across the face of the earth.

Women came running out of their houses, and running from house to house. They were screaming for joy, and tears flowed down their cheeks.

It had been two years since most of us had seen husbands and fathers. Every night when we bowed to pray we had prayed for protection of our father. Wow! What a load was lifted off our shoulders.

I have had teams to win championships, have celebrated ending of academic careers, and have married off three children. Nothing has imprinted itself upon my inner mind as that experience.

Spontaneous celebrations may break out at any appropriate moment. They usually occur after some triumph, or success in life.

On the other hand planned celebrations are carried out to celebrate the finality of a long process that usually ends in success.

One of the first records of celebration in the Bible was such a celebration. It is related to David's bringing the Arch of Covenant to Jerusalem. As they made their way to their destination there were shouts of Trumpets, Cymbals, Cornets, and harps.

People were shouting along the way, cheering the process.

David Danced before the Ark. Others must have followed behind.

Once the act was completed sacrifices were offered.

Such was the way it was on the first Palm Sunday 2,000 years ago. So much had been packed in the past 3 years. The disciples had learned a totally new way of processing religion and life. They had learned their studies well. They had seen the unbelievable happen ...

blind to see,

lame to walk,

dead brought to life

heard the voice of God

had seen a man in a physical body one moment and spiritual

body the next.

Had seen him calm the sea, walk on water...

No man had ever done these things. Now that Kingdom he was always talking about was to come. There was a planned ride into the city on a Donkey. A special party and meal in an Upper Room of one of Jesus' wealthy supporters. Who knows he might announce his kingship. The event was prepared and the moment had arrived. Luckily there were hundreds of thousands in town for the holiday. They all wanted to see a man who was raised from the dead; and much more the man who had raised him from the dead.

Jesus made his announcement! He did it with symbol. He dared not announce verbally what he was about. He knew what the symbols of his country were and he was using them to make his statement in such a way that the leaders of the religious kingdom could not touch him. These were the symbols he was going to use.

2. Palm Branches ... symbols of peace

The religious leaders knew what he was saying, and so did the crowds but it was done in such a way that legally they could not harm him.

1. Washing of the feet ... symbol of humility

2. Rooster crowing ... a new day was dawning

3. 30 pieces of silver ... a new symbol for treason was born

4. Washing of the hands ... no commitment

5. bread and wine ... became body and blood

6. cross ... changed from bad to good.

Some say, they tried to give him the crown of Judah. He had refused it. His kingdom was not of this world. But on this day he did announce it. What a joyful day it was.

I would remind you that everything he planned for this week happened.

1. HIS KINGDOM DID COME!

2. IT WAS BORN IN THE FORM OF THE CHURCH

3. IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FIRST A SPIRITUAL KINGDOM

4. IT IS AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM!

Our being here this day is proof that Jesus' celebration was real. So wave your Palms and sing for joy. The king has come. The king has come. Hosanna, sing Hosanna!