,Hosanna! They were shouting "Hosanna"! A "large crowd" gathered and went "down the street to meet him" with palm branches and shouting Praise the God!" (John 12:12 & 13 NLT) Wow! Long before telephones, let alone social media, a "large crowd" was excited and welcoming. How did they do it? I know it is hard to believe, in this instant world we live in, but it was one person telling (actually speaking to!) the person, friend or family member. It was people getting excited about, and sharing, what they had seen God, through Jesus, doing.
Now I would like you to think, for just a minute, about the people - the shop owners and others along the way -- who were wondering what was happening. I wonder if people were actually able to explain, to answer the questions, to even help people to understand what/who they were so excited about. We, today, read about the "triumphant entry" with the "shouts of Hosanna" and the "laying palm branches, and cloaks, on the road" but can we explain why the people then AND us were/are so excited? Can we tell a family member, neighbor, and friend, where we see God's miracles today? Can we actually 'talk' to them - as in not use social media?
The reading in "Surprise the World" is 'send' this week. What is interesting about the idea of "send" is we need to start with friends, family, neighbors and visitors. One of the suggestions was to share God's awesome creation but to point out it IS God's creation. We live in such a beautiful part of God's creation there is a national, and several state, parks right here! There are activities to enjoy God's beautiful creation year round. What a wonderful way to share God's Love! To invite, and then talk about, God's Love and God's beautiful creation. Just remember we need to be able to answer the questions!
I encourage you, this week, to share why this week (Maundy Thursday and Good Friday) are so important to the Christian faith but especially to you. I encourage you to shout "Hosanna!" or "Praise God" even if other people can hear you! Then explain about the miracles you have seen God do. Then explain about the importance of the cross to the risen Christ. Go! Go to friend, family, neighbor!
Now I would like you to think, for just a minute, about the people - the shop owners and others along the way -- who were wondering what was happening. I wonder if people were actually able to explain, to answer the questions, to even help people to understand what/who they were so excited about. We, today, read about the "triumphant entry" with the "shouts of Hosanna" and the "laying palm branches, and cloaks, on the road" but can we explain why the people then AND us were/are so excited? Can we tell a family member, neighbor, and friend, where we see God's miracles today? Can we actually 'talk' to them - as in not use social media?
The reading in "Surprise the World" is 'send' this week. What is interesting about the idea of "send" is we need to start with friends, family, neighbors and visitors. One of the suggestions was to share God's awesome creation but to point out it IS God's creation. We live in such a beautiful part of God's creation there is a national, and several state, parks right here! There are activities to enjoy God's beautiful creation year round. What a wonderful way to share God's Love! To invite, and then talk about, God's Love and God's beautiful creation. Just remember we need to be able to answer the questions!
I encourage you, this week, to share why this week (Maundy Thursday and Good Friday) are so important to the Christian faith but especially to you. I encourage you to shout "Hosanna!" or "Praise God" even if other people can hear you! Then explain about the miracles you have seen God do. Then explain about the importance of the cross to the risen Christ. Go! Go to friend, family, neighbor!
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