“O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!. . .This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
-Psalm 118:1,24
In a few days we will be celebrating Palm Sunday in our churches. A special service that tells of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It’s a story that often brings great joy in our church life, especially after five weeks of turning inward to look at ourselves and our call to follow Christ. It’s also one that tends to evoke warm childhood memories of Palm processions and joyful celebrations in worship. And although this story also leads us into Holy Week and the dak shadows of Good Friday, today I’d like us to consider the message it contains about offering praise and giving thanks. The moment of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem elicits great joy from Jesus’ followers and many others who were gathering in Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. As they saw Jesus come, they were overcome with emotion and wanted to share what Jesus meant to them. And so, they proclaimed their joy by shouting words of praise, and treating him as a King or great leader. They gave thanks to God, and they offered words of blessing to him. And so, we too are encouraged to do the same. As we celebrate Palm Sunday, we are encouraged to lift our voices together in praise nad thanksgiving for all that Jesus means to us. For the ways he has transformed our lives, the ways in which he is helped guide us on the path of faith. Through ups and downs, joys and sorrows. We are encouraged to give praise using our own words, or words that have been passed down generation to generation, like those found in our scriptures. Like the Psalm reading I just shared which is a song of praise to God. This Psalm reminds us of two things. First, that God’s love for us is steadfast, and everlasting. Each and every day we are surrounded by the love of God, a love which we believe is most powerfully shown in the life of Christ. This alone is something worthy of praise and thanksgiving. To know we are forever loved, never alone in this world is a gift. Especially when we find ourselves facing times of challenge and despair. But the other verse I shared is reminiscent of one of my favourite hymns “this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” In the United Church hymn books alone, we have three different takes on this! These words remind us that God has made each and everyday, and so we should give thanks for it, even in times of struggle. Even when we feel despair or surrounded by struggle after struggle. Because we can trust that each God is still with us. Loving us, holding us, offering us refuge when we need it the most. And so, as we prepare to celebrate Palm Sunday, let us raise our voices in praise together. Let us give thanks for the one whose love is steadfast. Let us give thanks for God made known in Christ. The one who calls us, guides us and walks beside us always.
Devotional was written by Rev. Tara Ann Gourson, March 2021.
Bideford Pastoral Charge 