About 10 years ago I participated in an Engaging Pastors Holy Week Retreat: In the above picture I followed the crowd through the passion narrative (probably Luke’s gospel). Today we find ourselves on the threshold of Holy Week, we join the crowd in Jerusalem waiting for a king, someone to save us and set us free. The excitement ripples through the crowd, he is coming “Hosanna to the son of David. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” And he comes, he appears but what an unexpected sight, “Who is this?” the people ask. The people who cry Hosanna today, will shout crucify him five days from now. Life and death are colliding.
This year like no other, the setting of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem appears in a new light. These days, the crowd, the people, the community can make the difference in life and death with covid-19. We also yearn to be saved, to be set free. Who is the Jesus we expect to show up? Who is the Jesus we encounter? How is God at work and present in our midst?
With the prophets we proclaim, with the scriptures we declare, with the saints we pass on that in Christ death has lost it’s sting, perfect love casts out fear and that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. Hosanna in the highest!
With the Eyes of the Heart 