Palm/Passion Sunday
Of all the Sunday's of the year, this is the one with a split personality. It reminds us of the great parade that met Jesus as he entered Jerusalem and the tragedy to which the parade leads .
First, there's the parade. Lots of people. Lots of palm branches. People shouting "Hosanna!" (which means "save us"). That's the Palm Sunday side of it. The people were looking for a savior.
Which takes us to the Passion Sunday side of it. The only way Jesus could "save us" is to die on the cross.
One Sunday - two different emotions.
Which takes us to the question for this Sunday (and yes, I know that I forgot to post last week's question):
Is the cross really necessary? Did Jesus have to die?
For some, the cross is a messy distraction to the fact that Jesus was a great leader and teacher. He showed people a new way to live and be. He inspired people to live faithfully.
But the cross messes with that picture. The cross is bloody, cruel, vicious. Is it really necessary?
That's what we'll tackle this Sunday in worship. Let us know what you think.
Comments
He died on the cross, was buried. On the third day, He arose from the dead. He ascended into Heaven.
My thoughts on the cross are tied to my thoughts on the miracles in the Bible. I have heard/seen academics and humanistic philosophers perform the great magic trick of moral equivalence. They give a backhanded acknowledgement to Christian beliefs by saying "Oh yeah, I believe Christ was a great teacher." They add that he was a pacifist and taught people to be kind to one another. And then, they go on to talk about Gandhi doing the same thing. Really...? Jesus also taught that He was the Son of God. That there is only ONE TRUE GOD. That all who do not believe in Him shall perish. He led His believers to think that He raised people form the dead. That He cured leprosy, blindness, blood disorders, and manner of illness. He claimed that He cast out demons. He walked on water. He calmed the stormy seas. He killed a fig tree with a few words. A real trick if any other teacher can pull it off - Jesus spoke to God and God spoke back.
No. Jesus was a great teacher. The greatest. But His mission served a higher calling. He came to die so that others may live in the hereafter. He did not bring us an update to the cool rules for life. He brought us the rule for an afterlife. The cross is the signature and initials on the contract for our souls. To see His teachings as a good life plan is dangerous. His message was always tied to the greater plan. He came to this world knowing that He would die to lead us to the next.
Posted by: Sid | March 11, 2008 7:25 AM
Great response Sid! I would/could only add one thing. His immeasurable suffering shows His immeasurable love for us. So yes the crucifixion was necessary - but it was for us not for Him!
Posted by: Alethea | March 12, 2008 9:40 AM
yes and yes
Posted by: SW | March 12, 2008 10:00 AM