Palm Sunday
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Scriptures: John 12:12-16
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Summary: This Palm Sunday, Scott looks at the story of Jesus’ entry into his final week. The crowds who have gathered for passover begin chanting ancient psalms borne from their collective memory. They wave palm branches—symbols of violence—in anticipation of a revolution. Jesus rides in on a donkey, a subversion of their political desires. The author of John filters all of these events through two minor prophets to help the reader remember what God has been looking to do all along.
Background: on Palm Sunday, Jesus enters Jerusalem among throngs of devotees, onlookers, and celebrants. In the background, political and social pressures mount around Jesus. The crowd’s longing for change is a potential threat to the status quo, both for Roman rule and local normalcy. We can imagine the scene with our memories of large exciting events, like the Calgary Stampede.
Chanting Crowds: The crowd chants, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the King of Israel!” Some of their words are taken from the Psalms and others are their own. They wave palm branches, which Scott points out were symbols of violent resistance to Roman rule, and was something used during revolutions and militaristic liberations of that era.
What Jesus Does: As Jesus approaches the masses outside Jerusalem who are anticipating his arrival, he makes a choice to ride in on a donkey colt, an inversion of a triumphal military march—typically done on a war horse. Scott shows how John records the event by pulling passages from the prophets that focus on God’s divine intentions for all humanity. John’s literary expertise works to expand the reader’s imagination of God as one who would come humbly and one who saves in unexpected ways.
Memory as Faith: Scott shares that “remembering well” is an important practice of our faith. What started as thoughtful and Spirit-animated stories of Jesus became texts which are still read and remembered today. Then, as we return to those stories with our experiences, imaginations, and expectations—together as a community—we might encounter God in surprising ways. During our annual and collective return to Lent and Holy Week we might see Jesus in new light.
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Community is shaped by the conversations we share. These questions and reflections are a tool to help you meaningfully engage with the themes of this week's teaching.
Connect: Scott mentioned the visceral experience of the Calgary Stampede, specifically places like the Coca-Cola stage, where people are packed in tightly and singing loudly.
What’s your “Coca-Cola stage moment?”
Can you recall a time when you were among a crowd of people where you felt the frenetic fervour grow around you?
What was it about the event that you think gave people such gusto?Share: your thoughts on Scott’s words about the chanting crowds waving palm fronds in John’s Gospel. He says,
“These [palm branches] were symbols of violence taken up, along with matching slogans, to do what we have been inclined to do so many times:Worship a god who comes to save us,
and dispel those we despise and dismiss.
Welcome a god who is disposed toward us,
who blesses the methods of our discontent.
How we parade and deify those we claim as the heroes of our chosen cause.That’s why it’s somehow right that we all take up palm fronds today.
Perhaps they help our imaginations as we read,
perhaps they help you enter the story, as you feel the sharp frond edges,
as you hold the weight of their symbolism.”How might shared practices like this—and retelling these stories each year—help us remember who Jesus really is, rather than who we want him to be?What might it look like for a community to “remember well” in a way that leads to humility, rather than triumphalism?
Reflect: on the times you’ve returned to the stories of our faith—the yearly retelling of them—and discovered something new. Observing the events on the Church calendar (like Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, and Easter) are important ways that we hold onto the memory the stories of Jesus as a community.
In what ways might memory itself be a spiritual practice?
How has memory—as a faith practice—helped you recognize moments of divine grace or transformation in your own story?Engage: with the idea of Jesus cresting the hill to Jerusalem, seeing the throngs of people waving palm branches and chanting words of the prophets, and responding by deciding to ride in on a donkey.
What do you think about the idea of Jesus responding in unexpected ways—in real time—to our fervent displays, roaring expectations, and espoused desires?
In what ways might you look out for Jesus’ seemingly spontaneous, yet thoughtful actions, in our world today?Takeaway: How does this message or today’s conversation help you approach Easter this year?
Benediction based on the sermon
As we enter Holy Week and approach Easter
and remember all the ways that God has kept us,
astonished us,
and healed us throughout the year,
might we be intrigued by Jesus
who aspires to be more than our political, ethnic, or religious mascot.
May our remembering lead us to
reconcile, forgive, and discover all that God has for us.
Might we remember well.
Amen. -
CALL TO WORSHIP John 12
MUSIC Curated by Rebecca Santos
Bethel Music - Sing His Praise Again
Hope Darst - Peace Be Still
Brooke Ligertwood - Hosanna
SERIES BUMPER
Palm Sunday
