Looking Ahead to March 25, 2018 -- Palm Sunday

The Scripture for this week is John 12:12-36

The Sermon title is This Hour

Early Thoughts: Is this a royal procession? Is the the opening of a coronation festival?

Or is it the beginning of something much more somber? 

Which hour is this that Jesus refers to? The celebration or the tragedy? Possibly both?

AS John tells his story of Jesus this triumphant entry into the city immediately follows the raising of Lazarus. Which is important for two reasons. One is that the raising of Lazarus has greatly raised Jesus' status and so the crowds around him have grown larger. The other is that in response to the incident in Bethany the leadership in Jerusalem have made a fateful (and fatal) determination. For the good of the nation this Jesus must die. As readers we are aware of these machinations, while the excited crowds are less aware.

So today is indeed both comedy and tragedy. Both masks are being worn. We join in the celebrations and the glory.  With the Greeks watching we ask to know more. But also we see the gathering clouds on the horizon.

As the clouds grow thicker and heavier over the week, can we remain as children of the light?
--Gord