Devotion: Palm Sunday & Holy Week
Please take a moment and read the scripture from this weekend: Matthew 21:8-9
As I’m writing this devotion, we just finished celebrating Palm Sunday, the day that begins this sacred Holy Week. It is a week filled with things held in tension. We know that the green branches waved in celebration will turn into the ashes that will begin our Lenten journey next year. We know the joy of laying coats on the road to honor and welcome a King, will end in weeping at the base of a cross watching the horrific crucifixion of our Savior.
Psychologists talk about holding the tension of opposites, where two opposite ideas exist peaceably together. For example, you can go on vacation and at the same time look forward to being home. A couple can long to have a child, and at the same time can grieve the change that their relationship and lifestyle will endure. Two things can be true.
It’s easy to question how to hold two things in tension. How can a king ride in on a lowly donkey? How can a master offer the caring act of washing his disciples’ feet, knowing all along that he’s about to be betrayed by one of them? How can a crowd who was just shouting “Hosanna” in praise and honor, now cry out “Crucify Him”?
Jesus, knowing full well that one of his disciples would betray him, continued to wash all twelve of the disciples’ feet. He did not leave anyone out. He had compassion on them. The criminals hanging beside him on the cross, received salvation in spite of their sins. And as Jesus was in his final moments and struggling to breathe, he compassionately remembered his mother, making sure she would be cared for by his friend. Jesus shows compassion to all.
As we continue to worship during this Holy Week, as we receive communion and remember all that was endured at the cross, may we hold the tension of receiving the passionate compassion of our Lord, Jesus. We did nothing to deserve it, yet we receive it. May his ultimate sacrifice of love be an example for us and move us to freely give compassion to others.
Gracious Father,
We are so humbled and in awe of the sacrifice that your Son gave for us. Help us to show compassion to those around us, so that our actions may reflect your great love. Thank you for loving us so much.
In your mighty, precious and saving Son’s name,
Amen.
Written by Julie Anderson
Julie Anderson is a member of Sheridan’s Devotion Writing Team. She works as Sheridan’s Children’s Music Coordinator where she is passionate about teaching children to use their musical gifts to praise God. Julie is married to Scott and counts her greatest honor as being mom to Adrienne, Eliot and Elise.
