March 23, 2024

Dear Road Church Friends,

The day we call Palm Sunday, the first day of the Jewish Passover, Pilate entered Jerusalem in full military attire, riding a white horse. Behind him was a column of cavalry followed by foot soldiers in leather armor, wearing bronze helmets, holding high for all to see, metal-tipped spears, colorful banners, and golden images of eagles, mascots of Rome, mounted on poles, glistening in the sun. There was the pounding of horse’s hoofs, the thumping of feet marching in sync, the clinking of bridles, the beating of drums, and trumpets blaring. This was a Triumphal Entry, — a choreographed display of military might and political ideology. Pilate’s message to the large crowd of devout Jewish pilgrims was loud and clear: “Don’t even think about making trouble.”

Meanwhile, Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to offer the Jewish pilgrims an alternative to armed insurrection. He came as the Prince of Peace. Just as Pontius Pilate showed Jerusalem what Rome is all about, Jesus intended to show Jerusalem what the kingdom of God is all about. More on this subject tomorrow.

SCRIPTURE:  Luke 19:41-44     SERMON:  Redeeming the Times

When Jesus drew near to Jerusalem he wept over it, saying, “If you only knew today what is needed for peace! Because you cannot see it, the time will come when your enemies will surround you and close in on you from every side. They will completely destroy you and kill the people within your walls; not a single stone will be left in its place. All because you did not recognize the time when God came to save you!”

THE MAN CHRIST

by Therese Lindsey

He built no temple, yet the farthest sea

Can yield no shore that’d barren of his place

For bended knee.

He wrote no book, and yet his words and prayer

Are intimate on many myriad tongues,

Are counsel everywhere.

The life he lived has never been assailed,

Nor any precept, as he lived it, yet

Has ever failed.

He built no kingdom, yet a king from youth

He reigned, is reigning yet; they call his realm

The kingdom of the truth.

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Norm

This service on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/uKhCLFzeQYs?si=_3VrEEscdKM9-kQc