The Palm Cross
Yesterday was Palm Sunday. In our Services, we gave everyone a small cross made from a palm leaf. These crosses have no intrinsic worth. They are, after all, just a dried up leaf. But what they symbolise, and the challenge they hold before us, is significant.
On the one hand, the palm reminds us of Palm Sunday, the day, a week before Easter, when Jesus entered Jerusalem for the final time in his life and was welcomed by the people of Israel as the one sent by God to be their long-awaited king.
‘Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”’ Mark 11:8-10
On the other hand, the shape of the cross reminds us that, by end of that same week, these people would deny his right to rule and send Jesus to his death as a way of silencing him.
‘“Crucify him!” they shouted. “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”’ Mark 15:13-14
What is the challenge to us? It’s this. Which day do we identify with? In every part of life, in every decision we make, in every personal interaction, in the way we conduct ourselves, we are faced with a choice. Do we acknowledge the divine right of Jesus to rule in this situation. Do we listen to his voice? Or do we claim that right for ourselves and do everything we can to drown out the voice of Jesus, making us no different from the crowd who sent him to the cross.
In the palm cross, we are confronted with the question, “Where do I stand? Am I with Jesus or am I against him?”
Neil Percival
Young District Anglican Ministry
On the one hand, the palm reminds us of Palm Sunday, the day, a week before Easter, when Jesus entered Jerusalem for the final time in his life and was welcomed by the people of Israel as the one sent by God to be their long-awaited king.
‘Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”’ Mark 11:8-10
On the other hand, the shape of the cross reminds us that, by end of that same week, these people would deny his right to rule and send Jesus to his death as a way of silencing him.
‘“Crucify him!” they shouted. “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”’ Mark 15:13-14
What is the challenge to us? It’s this. Which day do we identify with? In every part of life, in every decision we make, in every personal interaction, in the way we conduct ourselves, we are faced with a choice. Do we acknowledge the divine right of Jesus to rule in this situation. Do we listen to his voice? Or do we claim that right for ourselves and do everything we can to drown out the voice of Jesus, making us no different from the crowd who sent him to the cross.
In the palm cross, we are confronted with the question, “Where do I stand? Am I with Jesus or am I against him?”
Neil Percival
Young District Anglican Ministry