A sermon from Palm Sunday 2020. This was part of a larger Lenten series at Capitol Hill United Methodist Church where we were also looking at African America Spirituals.
We find ourselves living in unprecedented times in our lives, don’t we?
As we prepare for worship this Sunday, we come to one of the most iconic days of the Christian year – Palm Sunday – a day so often equated with joy and triumph. Can that old-time story of Jesus bring us guidance for this uniquely challenging time?
That will be our goal as we consider together two texts: Mark’s version of Jesus entering the city of Jerusalem and a snippet from the book of Revelation. We’ll also be thinking through some of the lyrics to “Ride On King Jesus,” an African American spiritual. As you look at those two passages and the song: What is similar? What is different? What do you think they say to our current situation?
Listen to it here:
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Watch the sermon here:
This sermon was inspired by:
Revelation 19:11-13
11Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. 13He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God. (NRSV)
Mark 11:1-11
1When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
10Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
11Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. (NRSV)
