“Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!”
(John 12:13b)

Dear brothers & sisters in Christ,
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior. Amen.
Huge crowds line the streets of Jerusalem. A cacophony of praise and shouts of Hosannas permeate the air. Blessings, palm branches, and cloaks shroud the road impeding the rise of the dust. He comes. Seated atop an unbroken colt, surrounded by shouts of joy and promise, He rides through the gates and into the throng of hopeful devotees. They have waited generations for His arrival. Their hearts full of joy and exultation, they welcome the One whom they pray is the Messiah.
Yet, humans are fickle creatures. Days later, the tone is altered. From the depths of night emerges a mob. With morning’s light commences a farcical trial decrying a fated verdict sanctioned in the darkest hour. The dust is now tinged crimson with His blood. Shouts of praise are replaced by demands for death. No palms or cloaks impede the cries of frenzied fury and unbridled animosity. Even the sun withdraws from view, taking with it the comfort of the day.
“It is finished.” (John 19:30) It is done. The Lord exhales His spirit forth.
The women wail with unrequited grief. The dust now quakes with seismic tremors as rocks split, tumble, and hurtle through the city and the countryside alike. The Temple curtain is ripped asunder. Tombs burst open wide freeing desperate souls.
The Messiah comes. The Christ is killed. The Lord will rise again.
Meanwhile, we fickle humans wait. We wait as the excited devotees, the angry mob, the wailing women, the restless souls – we wait as both believers and doubters – we wait as both sinners and saints. We wait and watch… as God’s only Son dies that we may live. And we wait for His rising, the light consuming the darkness, love crushing hate, life conquering death. For all these things, we wait.
The streets paved with gold fill with risen souls. Angel voices lift to God praise for all that He has done. Rising ever with the Lord, the savior of us all. Raise our voices, ever prayerful, to join the saints as one.
The grace and peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

In Christ,
Pastor Carla

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. (Revelations 7:9)