By Deanna Risser, VP for finance
Scripture: Mark 11:1-11 (NRSV)
When I was a high school youth leader at my church several years ago, the other leader and I made an effort to attend the extracurricular activities of the youth. Over two years I attended musicals, plays, jazz band concerts, marching band, show choir, cross country meets, track meets, soccer games and tennis matches. I found this to be an important way to build relationship.
What does it mean when we show up? When we take the time to participate in the life of others? To share life experiences together? Jesus showed up on earth – He came to live among us. That Jesus can be both human and divine is a mystery to us. Yet we do know that God sent Jesus to live among us, and to suffer on the cross on our behalf.
This passage in Mark describes what we now know as the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, usually celebrated on Palm Sunday and marking the beginning of the events of Holy Week, which ends in Jesus’s death and resurrection. At the time, Jesus was the only one who knew what was to come, and He may not have even fully understood. As Jesus was entering Jerusalem on the donkey, those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9)
Showing up. Being present. Blessed is the one who comes. Blessed is the one who came, comes and continues to be present with us.
Blessed Is the One
Blessed is the One
who comes to us
by the way of love
poured out with abandon
Blessed is the One
who walks toward us
by the way of grace
that holds us fast.
Blessed is the One
who calls us to follow
In the way of blessing
In the path of joy.
From A Circle of Grace by-Jan Richardson
Scripture: Mark 11:1-11 (NRSV)
Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.