Churches celebrate Palm Sunday in different ways. At Mesquite United Methodist Church, the children, youth and adults wave palms during the opening processional hymn. This celebration has become an important tradition in the church. Palm Sunday is a day of celebration. Or at least it always starts that way because we try to relive a small portion of that day when Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. It is a day of victory filled with palm branches and parades.
Jesus was exalted by the crowds. Even though there were objections, nothing could stop this parade. Nothing could stop this joyous celebration of the Jesus as Messiah. Because of this triumphal entry, because of the tension and expectations it caused, triumph changed to tragedy. Palm Sunday is also a day that reminds us of another parade, a parade of shame and tragedy as Jesus was led to the cross. This certainly was a painful parade. Triumph went to tragedy as Jesus was arrested, tried and crucified.
However, God changed tragedy to triumph! The good news is that God had the last word. Everyone believed crucifixion was the worst form of punishment ever invented and it was reserved for the worst offenders. Everyone thought that there was no way God could use anyone who had been crucified. However, because God is a God of reversal, this parade led to the ultimate victory and the cross, where Jesus was lifted up and exalted for all of creation. God likes to take the weak and make it strong. God loves taking the least and making it the most. God loves taking the small and defeating the mighty. God took the most unlikely scenario possible to save us from sin and death.
We invite you to celebrate with us during worship this weekend at Mesquite United Methodist Church as we remember and celebrate the good news that God always has the last word. On this special Palm Sunday Weekend the Adult Choir will sing the Easter Cantata “The Night Before Easter” on Saturday evening April 4th at 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday morning April 5th at 10:00 a.m. The entire community is invited to join us as we remember and celebrate that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior took the tragedy of the cross and turned it into a triumph over sin and death!
http://www.gbgm-umc.org/mesquite
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