Happy Palm Sunday everyone! Today is the day that Christians around the world celebrate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem for the Passover festival. If we could time-machine back to this day, we would be amongst a throng of cheering people, hearing the shouts of “Hoshia-na! Baruch ha-ba b’shem Adonai! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!” (as recorded in John 12:13).
All of Jerusalem would have been upside down! The Pharisees (Jewish religious leaders) would have panicked, because this was the man whom they were planning on killing because he claimed to be equal with God, using the “Son of Man” term (which was only used in the Old Testament for God himself). The Roman military occupiers would have been disturbed, already knowing of Jesus of Nazareth and the miracles he had been performing, and the possible threat to their control in the region. Keep in mind, the Jewish people had been conquered by the Roman empire and were under harsh occupation.
Then there were the everyday people, the lower, middle and upper class – completely transfixed on this amazing beacon of hope! Could this be the promised Messiah, the one who had been prophesied about for hundreds and hundreds of years? Jesus was performing miracles, raising the dead, and teaching about a new Kingdom that had arrived – surely this must be the deliverer?
Think about it for a moment? You’re a little child, and your parents tell you and your siblings one day about a promised messiah who will someday come and make everything right. You leave your house and walk to the nearby store. As you journey along, you see a line of crosses alongside the road, with men hanging upon them, slowly dying. Another day you enter the town square and someone you know is being beaten half to death in the street by enemy soldiers, but yet everyone watches; to intervene would mean your own arrest and punishment. A year later your father tells the family at the dinner table, that you are losing your home because your taxes have gone even higher, and no matter how much money both your parents make – they could never pay that bill…
This my friends, is but a small example of what it would have been like under Roman occupation in Israel.
Now, for the first time in the Jewish history, entering Jerusalem – is the man who is supposed to change all of this! No wondering people were throwing their coats on the ground for Jesus’ donkey to walk on. People along the roadside, waving palm branches and praising Jesus the Christ. Yet, who could have imagined that Jesus was not just coming to save them, but to save ALL of mankind. He would do this in the most unexpected way – being crucified on a cross and taking upon himself all of the sin that blocked man’s way to God the Father, making all people – you and me – perfectly holy, because He is holy, when we ask Jesus into our hearts. WOWZA!
That’s palm Sunday in a simplified nutshell. I encourage you to take in your local church service this Easter. We are having a special worship night at my local church, Revive Church NL, this Saturday. Followed by our Easter Sunday service the following day. On Sunday, coffee and goodies are at 10:30 am, with the service starting at 11:00 am. If you don’t have a church, come on out!
Revisiting my Religious Identity
“What denomination are you?”
Oof! That’s a loaded question. Not loaded for you, but for me answering it! I can answer other people’s responses to that easily – my wife grew up Pentecostal, my mother Catholic, my father Anglican – but to answer my own, not as straightforward.
“Well, I grew up Anglican, then I was confirmed Catholic, and then…” *Yawwwwhhhhh* To save time, I was a part of four different denominations, and a bunch of churches in between. With that said, the core part of my journey-in-my-faith was when I attended Victory Christian Centre in St. John’s, during my young teenage years. I matured there in my faith, met some core life-long friends, and received the Holy Spirit.
It’s funny though, that even though I grew so much there, I don’t identify as non-denominational. Personally, I find denominations more like ‘name-tags’ rather than anything that actually holds weight. My only true identity is that I am a Christian, a follower of Christ and that I try to live as Christians are called to in the Bible.
“You mean, you’re a Christian and your name is Christian?”
Yeah, I’ve heard that many times. It’s like the time I asked a man with the last name Christie if he baked good cookies… he wasn’t amused lol.
With that said, a couple of weeks ago I was asked what denomination I was, and you might be surprised by my answer. For the first time in years, I didn’t go through my normal long spiel, rather I said, “I grew up Catholic, and then I went to a non-denominational church”.
Looking back, I realized that’s pretty much my story. I was too young to learn anything at the Anglican church (besides my efforts in trying to convince the cupbearer with the wine at communion to sneak me a sip of the cup). When I attended St. Theresa’s Catholic church with my mom, I had to do the confirmation program and it was a big thing for me: studying scriptures, learning where to stand, and then being presented my certificate, dressed in my white Benny Hinn two piece suit.
With all that said, one big factor that influenced my walk with Christ, is one person in particular – my mother, MaDonna (prepare to cry ma). It was her constant encouragement (albeit sometimes too much, but we all learn, as I am learning now with my own children) and devotion for leading me towards Christ. Whether it was the morning devotionals or our road trips for our church conferences and get-togethers; driving me to youth every Friday, asking me the expected question, “Did you spend time with the Lord today?” Honestly, sometimes I dreaded that question as a teenager – give me space! (my teenage brain thought sometimes). But boy oh boy, do I ever understand how important and vital that question was – it showed me that she seriously cared for me. Not just that she cared for me, but that she wanted me to have the most important thing in my life – my walk with Jesus, something that she learned in her 30’s.
As I revisit my religious identity today, I’ve come to this point of understanding: my church history was a core part, but my mother guiding me, that was my staple. I have a lot to be thankful for this Easter, so I start with saying thank you to my mom. Loves ya, and I pray that God will bless you, like you’ve blessed me and my brothers.
Christian
The Eason Clan 