I love parades. There is something about them that stirs the emotions and gets the adrenalin flowing. I have always enjoyed being right in the middle of them, playing my trombone in a high school band or the Quantico Marine Band. In my younger days I played in a myriad of parades.
While parades are stirring they are too transitory. However, the memories linger on.
The Palm Sunday Parade some 2,000 years ago started at the Mount of Olives, one of the most important sites around Jerusalem. It played a central role in the life and ministry of Jesus. He often came here to pray. The view of the parade route is spectacular as you descend from these olive groves down across the Kidron Valley and up the hill to the Eastern Gate, that is now closed by the Muslims. It will only be opened when the Messiah comes. That day of our Lord's return is near at hand, and I long to see that day come.
The Mount of Olives provides a buffer zone between the Judean Desert and the city of Jerusalem. Looking west one can see an incredible view of the Old City and the rest of Jerusalem in all its glory.
We must never forget that it was from the Mount of Olives that Jesus wept over the city. His cry still rings out today with a message for all of us to hear.
Jesus said, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things which belong to your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes . . . because you did not know the time of your visitation" (Luke 19:41-44).
It is my prayer that God will keep our eyes and ears open and that we will not miss our day of visitation.
Embedded in the crowd of people were the Pharisees, the religionists who will always try to throw cold water on any move of the Holy Spirit and the demonstration of praise and worship. The Pharisees said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples."
And He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out" (Luke 19:40).
As we approach this Palm Sunday of 2011, let us not miss out on the spontaneous and joyful shouts of praise as we wave palm branches in a concert of worship.
[Editor's Comment: Christian Life Worship Center, formerly Tarkenton Memorial Pentecostal Holiness Church, is located at 125 Kathwood Drive in Athens, GA, one mile west of the perimeter of Athens. The worship starts at 10:50 a. m., but you will not be late if you get there at 11 a. m. As my black friends tell me they come for the main event--preaching. My sermons usually last 20-25 minutes. So, you may expect to get out of church by 12 noon. However, should the Holy Spirit take charge anything can happen.]
Posted on
Fri, April 15, 2011
by Hugh Morgan