It is Palm Sunday and the disciples are an excited mob, raising the profile of Jesus under the nose of Caesar. The excited rabble are fickle, and while they sing in praise of him today, the reality is that as events unfold the disciples scatter in fear, unable to stick with Jesus.
I don’t know anyone who willingly embraces the shadows, the dark and difficult places in life. For the strongest it may be an act of will, but such acts come at great cost. But after 2000 re-tellings of the story of Easter, maybe we will be better served by a change of orientation. Rather than reluctantly following the Messiah towards a messy trial and crucifixion, what might this week look like if we invite the risen Christ to accompany us as we face the shadows?
Sermon Sunday March 28th, 2010 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga