Palm Sunday and Holy Week

This Sunday March 28th, we celebrate Jesus' final entry into the grand city of Jerusalem. Our children's choir will sing and we will all wave palm branches just as the people did two thousands of years ago when they welcomed Jesus that first palm day. The story is recorded in all four Gospels (Matthew 21: 1-11; Mark 11: 1-11; Luke 19: 28-40; John 12: 12-19).
Palm Sunday begins what is called Holy Week or Passion Week. The earliest Christians remembered Jesus' final days with devotion, reverence and worship. We will have worship on Maundy Thursday (remembering the Last Supper with His disciples and Jesus' commandment to celebrate it), and Good Friday (remembering His death on the cross). I've said it many times but it's worth repeating, your Easter experience will not be what it can be without experiencing these holy days.
This year the annual Dogwood Festival here in Tyler County falls on this Good Friday and Easter weekend. It did a couple of years ago as well. Some of you have commitments of involvement in various activities surrounding this great festival that we enjoy. Let me suggest a way in and through it all to focus on Jesus next week.
Enjoy Dogwood as always. Enjoy the Springtime, it's God's reminder of new life. He designed creation this way. We'll hope for good springtime weather but whether its' rain or shine, dogwoods blooming yet or not, God will have His way with this world and resurrection will come. It came in Jesus Christ and it can for you too!
Pray daily. Pray for resurrection in your life. Walk with Jesus, worship on Sunday, Thursday, Friday and Easter. Fast. If your health allows, join me and others in fasting on Maundy Thursday. When you wake up on Thursday morning, abstain from breakfast and lunch, drink water and then come to Thursday service. The first taste on your tongue will be the bread and juice of the Lord's Supper. After worship, go enjoy a filling supper.
Finallly, I encourage you to spend time in God's Word. Read a different version of the palm passage I gave above, choosing to read one Gospel each day perhaps. Let the Spirit reveal insight and wisdom to you.
It is a joy and privledge to share this Lenten journey with you and our Lord.