The Grace of Jesus’ Passion
Call to Worship for Palm Sunday
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” – Zechariah 9:9 (ESV)
Jesus enters into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover one last time with His disciples before He experiences the ultimate and final Passover on the cross. This week marks the beginning of Jesus’ Passion, or suffering; suffering for our sins because of His great love for us. A love that hears the crowds praise Him one day with shouts of adoration, only to be turned a few days later to cries of condemnation. And still, this King, “humble and mounted on a donkey” instead of a warhorse says:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” – Matthew 23:37 (ESV)
As we are called into worship today, it is sobering to remember that when God appeared on earth in the person of Jesus, most of the world did not recognize him and therefore did not worship him.
Left to ourselves, neither will we.
Today we need and ask for the faith that will open our eyes to see Jesus for who he is, that we might worship him in Spirit and in truth.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, open our eyes to see Your glory. Open our ears to hear Your truth. Open our hands to offer You gifts. Open our mouths to sing and declare Your praise. Open our hearts to receive and extend Your love.
People of God, behold and see and worship our God!