Passion Week

Holy Week begins this Sunday, Palm Sunday. It is a week that is unmistakably Christian because it is rooted in the Passion of Jesus Christ. For Christ-followers this week is about far more than the sale of annuals at the local big box store and chocolate Easter bunnies. It's the week we follow, remember, observe, and celebrate the sacrificial act of Jesus that ushered in God's grace for EVERYONE who believes.

Mark 11:1-11 records the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey during Passover at the beginning of His final week as God (in Eugene Peterson's words), "with skin on." The man with the donkey has always intrigued me. How did he know Jesus wanted his donkey? Was he expecting the disciples? When they asked him to use the donkey for the Lord did he question them, did he ask for a donkey deposit, or to see their ID? Scripture says he gave them the donkey for Jesus to use. Max Lucado devoted an entire chapter in one of his books to the guy with the donkey. Lucado says that when he gets to heaven he wants to meet the guy with the donkey because he has some questions for him:

Did you know? Did you have any idea that your generosity would be used for such a noble purpose? Did it ever occur to you that God was going to ride your donkey? Were you aware that all four gospel writers would tell your story? Did it ever cross your mind that a couple of millenniums later, a curious preacher in South Texas would be pondering your plight late at night?

Lucado goes on to remind each of us that we all have a "donkey" which Christ can use: All of us have a donkey. You and I each have something in our lives, which, if given back to God, could, like the donkey, move Jesus and His story further down the road.

As we move through this week and reflect on the cost of our salvation let's all take stock of our lives, resources, possessions and abilities. Let's comb through our life story, search the cupboards of our souls and ask God what we have that He can use to accomplish His purposes. As we gather for worship this weekend let us sing the Hallel as people who know the "rest of the story" and really have something to proclaim:

"Hosanna!
BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD;
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David;
Hosanna in the highest!"

Come Lord, Jesus! Come quickly!