This Sunday, is commonly called “Palm Sunday” or “Passion Sunday”. Palm Sunday focuses on how Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey as the people sang, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Lk. 19:38). Passion Sunday centres on the suffering of Christ.
At DMC we emphasise Passion Sunday because many of our congregation miss the Good Friday service. If we celebrate the triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) and the victory of Resurrection (Easter Sunday) but neglect the suffering of the Cross (Good Friday) we miss the very centre of our faith- the Cross. Without the Cross, there is no forgiveness of sin, no answer to evil, no epitome of love, no defeat of death. Without the Cross, there is no “Gospel”, no Good News.
Our Holy Week services from Monday to Friday aim to help us enter more fully into the Good News offered by Jesus. Our theme is “to gaze on the beauty of the Lord” (Ps. 27:4). From Monday to Wednesday, with the help of Art, we’ll reflect on the beauty of the life Jesus offers us. Maundy Thursday deepens our appreciation of the most beautiful commandment: “As I have loved you, you also should love one another”. On Good Friday we discover the paradoxical beauty of the cross.
My prayer is that our worship together will be true beauty therapy – inspiring and empowering us to live as people of self-giving love.
God Bless, Sean