Palm
Sunday
The name Palm Sunday comes from
the palm leaves, along with clothing and other honors strewn along Jesus’ path
as He came in to Jerusalem the first day of the week before His
crucifixion. Of interest, only Jesus
knew of the upcoming crucifixion, every one else, including Jews, Romans and
the Christians, thought he was making a triumphant entrance in to the city to
take control of things and kick the Roman occupation force out. The moon was
almost full, this was the year of the Messiah according to Daniel. Jesus chose the route into the city,
through the King’s Gate. The
people saw Him coming and met him at the Mount of Olives. They expected Him to come in and
proclaim His rule. And that He
did, but not in the way the people were looking for. Those who thought of Him as Lord looked
for a Kingdom of this World to be established. Sunday was a day of triumph and
fulfilled the anticipation of the Jews of a day for which they had waited four
centuries. The Messiah had finally
come, at the time predicted by scripture.
They were certain that He would free them from the burdensome and cruel
yoke of Roman rule. The Jews would
finally be on top of the power pyramid.
They would rule the world under Him! Yet, that was not to be. The day in the temple!
Holy Cow! Here their savior
was throwing people out of the temple, not throwing the Romans out of
Jerusalem. They were sad to learn
He came not to rule this world, for that time was not yet come; He came to give
them the key to eternal salvation.
He came to take them from this veil of tears to a state of perfect
freedom. They wanted someone to
throw the Romans out and all God sent them was the key to eternal life. What a disappointment!
Propers
The Propers for today are found
on Page 134-137, with the Collect first:
The Sunday next before Easter, commonly called
Palm Sunday.
The
Collect.
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LMIGHTY
and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy
Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death
upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great
humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his
patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ This Collect is to be said every day, after the Collect
appointed for the day, until Good Friday.
And due to the rubric, the Collect for the Day is
followed by the Collect for Ash Wednesday, which is found on Page 124:
The first day of Lent, commonly called
Ash Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday.
The
Collect.
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LMIGHTY and
everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the
sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite
hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our
wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and
forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ This Collect is to be said every day in Lent, after the
Collect appointed for the day, until Palm Sunday.
Ryan Hopkins read the Epistle for today, which came
from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, starting at the Fifth Verse of the
Second Chapter.
Paul reminds us that if Christ, the Son of God, was
obedient to God, we should so be.
Also, as a result of that obedience, God hath given Jesus the name to
which all of earth should bow.
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et this mind be in you, which was also in Christ
Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with
God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a
man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the
cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which
is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things
in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father.
This morning’s Gospel comes from the
Gospel of Saint Matthew, starting at the First Verse of the Twenty-Seventh
Chapter and tells the story of Jesus’ trial, crucifixion and death. The Gospel was read by in parts, with Hap
as the Reader, Jack as Jesus and Judas, Ryan as Pontius Pilate, Dru as Mrs.
Pilate. We all read the Crowd part
together.
The normally powerful Gospel seems even more powerful
when read as a play, so to speak.
The crowd’s part is very hard to read as it reminds us of our dark
side. If you did not make it to
church today, please find someone to read this with in parts. It is an uncomfortable experience that
you nonetheless should not miss.
Gospel of Saint
Matthew
starting
at the First Verse of the Twenty-Seventh Chapter
Reader: The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew:
When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took
counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they
led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas,
which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself,
and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Saying,
Judas: I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.
Reader: And they said,
Crowd: What is that to us? see thou to that.
Reader: And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and
departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver
pieces, and said,
Crowd:
It is not lawful for to put them into the
treasury, because it is the price of blood.
Reader: And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's
field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of
blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the
prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him
that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them
for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me. And Jesus stood before the
governor: and the governor asked him, saying,
Pilate: Art thou the King of the Jews?
Reader: And Jesus said unto him,
Jesus: Thou sayest.
Reader: And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he
answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him,
Pilate: Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
Reader: And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the
governor marvelled greatly. Now at that feast the governor was wont to release
unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable
prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate
said unto them,
Pilate: Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus
which is called Christ?
Reader: For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he
was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying,
Pilate’s Wife: Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I
have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
Reader: But the chief
priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and
destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them,
Pilate: Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?
Reader: They said,
Crowd: Barabbas.
Reader: Pilate saith unto them,
Pilate: What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?
Reader: They all say unto him,
Crowd: Let him be crucified.
Reader: And the governor said,
Pilate: Why, what evil hath he done?
Reader: But they cried out the more, saying,
Crowd: Let him be crucified.
Reader: When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that
rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the
multitude, saying,
Pilate: I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to
it.
Reader: Then answered all the people, and said,
Crowd: His blood be on us, and on our children.
Reader: Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had
scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the
governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band
of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when
they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in
his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying,
Crowd: Hail, King of the Jews!
Reader: And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on
the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him,
and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they
came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear
his cross. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to
say, a place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and
when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and
parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken
by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did
they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his
head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were
there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the
left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying,
Crowd: Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three
days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Reader: Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the
scribes and elders, said,
Crowd: He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King
of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He
trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am
the Son of God.
Reader: The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same
in his teeth. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto
the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,
Jesus: Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?
Reader: that is to say,
Jesus: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Reader: Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said,
Crowd: This man calleth for Elias.
Reader: And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and
filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest
said,
Crowd: Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
Reader: Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded
up the ghost.
Moment of Silence
Reader: And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from
the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the
graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came
out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and
appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him,
watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they
feared greatly, saying,
Crowd: Truly this was the Son of God.
Please read this out loud.
Having read this, do you see yourself in the crowd? The crowd were not a random group of bad
Jews, the crowd is us. There is a little or more of the crowd
in each of us. Uncomfortable? Yes. But, sadly very real.
Yet, if we realize this, we can act to make ourselves less of the crowd
and more of the Christ. For in us
each is the crowd and the crown.
We chose, each of us, which it will be, crowd or crown. One simple letter of difference, yet
the gap between the two is bridged only by Christ.
Sermon – Time
and Action
Today’s sermon brought the Collect, Epistle and
Gospel together and is partly contained
in the forewords above.
Consider these words from the Collect:
… thy Son, our Saviour Jesus
Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that
all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant,
that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers
of his resurrection…
In the Collect, we acknowledge that God sent His Son
to be our Savior. We ask His Help
that we might follow the example Jesus set of humility and patience, both rare
qualities in us, that we might be part of the resurrection.
Jesus set the standard of obedience to God’s will and
He expects us to follow Him. It is
a hard thing to do. But, do you
think your path is harder than that set forth for Him as laid out in the Gospel
for today?
Jesus knew what was coming, how much it would hurt
both His Body and Soul as He went through with the crucifixion and subsequent
decent in to Hell. Yet, He
also knew this was God’s Will that we might live. If He did this for you, how can you not follow Him wherever
His Will takes you?
By the way, the Chief Priests, who had so much
invested in their 613 laws, likely searched far and wide for the crowd to
convict Jesus of the crimes they found against their system. Their system, not God’s. Remember, there are none so blind as
those who will not see. They would
not see because what was being shown to them was a new way that would interfere
with their comfortable way of living.
A new way that asked for them, no demanded of them, accountability unto
God for their actions. While that
crowd was no self forming group naturally set on condemning Jesus, but a
handpicked gang.
Make no mistake, we are that crowd. And, like Pilate, no matter what we
say, we cannot wash our hands of the responsibility. Thus, we must separate ourselves from the crowd. Separate, that is to make ourselves holy,
set aside.
When the time comes, how will you ACT?
It is by our actions we are known.
Bishop Ogles’ Sermon
We are oft fortunate to get
copies of Bishop Jerry’s sermon notes.
Today is one of those Sundays.
Today we get a brilliant and inspiring sermon discussing the events of
Holy Week. Hopefully, you read
last week’s explanation of Holy Week, your understanding of all that it means
will grow with this sermon. I beg
you; take the time to read this:
Sermon Notes for PALM SUNDAY
1 April 2012 Anno Domini
St Andrew’s Anglican Orthodox
The
Collect
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LMIGHTY
and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy
Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death
upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great
humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his
patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The
Bible is populated with a number of Great Lone Hills that rise majestically
from the dunes and deserts of the wilderness of sin. That which we approach
today in observing the impending crucifixion of Christ is the great mountain of
grace and mercy at Calvary – a mountain of unmerited mercy and grace for the
chosen of God. It was foreshadowed by the interdicted sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham
in the same mountain range as that of Calvary. These smaller mountains of God's
grace are like small foothills of promise that rise in growing measure toward
the heights of Everest which is the true Calvary. The sacrifice of Christ was
the consummation of all of God's prophecies of redemption, salvation, and
atonement. It was the final act that opened the floodgates of mercy and the
fountain of eternal life for all who are those of faith.
There
was nothing reasonable about the sacrifice of Christ. He came to shed His
life's blood for those who were at enmity with Him and His Father. As our
fathers climbed each successive mountain of grace and prophecy, their
perspective prevented their clear view of the ultimate mountain of greatest
towering stature that loomed beyond the crest of the last lesser mountain that
foreshadowed Calvary. Mount Moriah upon whose brow, Abraham would have
sacrificed Isaac, precluded the full view of that sacrificial fulfillment in
Christ. As well was the fullness of the Promise occluded from the view of Moses
upon Mount Nebal. It was the faith of Abraham, Moses, and others in the
satisfaction of the benefits of salvation that made the coming reality of the
redemption an accomplished and known fact centuries before its actual fulfillment.
As
we begin our observance of Holy Week, it will be revealing to our souls if we
view the significant events of the week in order of their occurrence:
The
entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on the Lord's Day. On the next day much people that were come to
the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, (John 12:12) This was the day that the
Passover Lamb was to be set aside and kept for its sacrifice on the eve of
Passover. Truly, Christ coming into Jerusalem to be kept until the 14th Nisan was the full picture of our Passover
in Christ. Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump,
as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not
with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the
unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Cor 5:7-8) The unleavened bread with which we observe the
Passover represents the truth and sincerity of Christ our Passover.
It is
noteworthy of the fickle and wicked nature of man that the same people who were
shouting Hosanna at the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem were the same who would
be shouting for His crucifixion less four days later.
On the
next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus
was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to
meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the
name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as
it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on
an ass's colt (John
12:12-15)
Christ rode
into Jerusalem on a donkey to express His humility. He had travelled to
Bethlehem on a donkey at the beginning of His life. At the close of His
life, He again rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people cast palm branches
before Him shouting "Hosanna" a word of Hebrew origin Ho - see
us, Yasha- na (save). This is why we refer to the day as Palm Sunday. It
is the day that we, like Christ, begin our observance of Holy Week in
preparation for our Passover in Christ. (Explain Passover: Exodus 12)
The Jewish
rulers were enraged at the honor the people showed to Christ. They could have
been part of the celebration, but chose to be part of the gloom and hate. The Pharisees
therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold,
the world is gone after him. They conceived in their hearts to destroy
the source of their anguish. The devil, like governments, can tolerate no
opposition.
Jesus would
observe the Passover meal the night of His taking by the Jews in the Garden at
Gethsemane. He would serve the meal to Judas, and the disciples, knowing
beforehand that the disciples would flee from Him once the tables were turned
against Him, and Judas would betray Him with a `kiss.' As Mary had anticipated
His coming Passion (unwittingly), and bath the feet of Christ with ointment,
Christ will now signal that act of humility by bathing the feet of His
disciples at the Passover meal.
On the eve
before His crucifixion, the Lord went into the Garden at Gethsemane to pray. He
took His three closest disci0ples, Peter, James, and John, who could not keep
awake even in the last moments of the life of Christ. We, too, cannot keep our
attention on the Word even during the sermon most frequently. How vain and
fickle are we.
When the
Jewish soldiers came to take Jesus captive in the Garden, His identity was
pointed out by Judas who went to Christ and kissed His cheek, thus betraying
the Lord of glory with a kiss. And while he yet spake, behold a
multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them,
and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. 48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? (Luke 22:47-48)
That was a
betrayal of eternal repercussions for Judas, and for us.
Night in the Garden
By Bishop Jerry Ogles
Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief
priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. John 18:3
Out of the darkest Halls of Hell
Came the marchers with torches raised.
Into the Garden quiet and still
They wandered forlorn and crazed.
Up to the Sovereign Lord of Love,
Their spears shining bright in the mist,
With arrogant air and a hateful shove
They took Him who wouldn't resist.
Now to the head of Scribe and Priest
Was the Savior led that night,
And to Herod's Court and Pilate's Seat
Where Right gave way to the Night.
To the craggy heights of the Lonely Skull
They took Him and laid Him down
And into His Hands of Love they drove
Iron spikes with a terrible Sound!
On His Brow a thorny Crown He wore
And His flesh was torn and bruised.
His Heart of Grace grew cold and sore
As the Spirit of Life was loosed.
The world of woe a Hope has found
In the Promise made sure by His Death
And the Saints of God with Faith abound
In the Fields that our Lord has Blessed!
The
courageous Peter drew a sword and severed the ear of one of the guards. He had
much courage in the presence of Christ, yet, when separated from Christ in the
Garden, that same Peter denied Christ shamefully three times in the night.
Christ (the
true High Priest) was taken to the Jewish High Priest where He was mocked,
beaten and ridiculed. He was blasphemed and the Sanhedrin presumed to
interrogate the Son of God. Having falsely accused Him, they led Him to Pilate
the Roman Proconsul. Herod would be considered a pretty good Democrat or
Republican today – he was quite politically correct. He found no fault in
Christ, but wished to pass the buck by sending Jesus to Herod who also mocked
Christ and tried to humiliate Him. He then returned Jesus to Pilate. King Herod
and the Proconsul had previously been bitter enemies, but in their mutual
estrangement to Christ, they became friends at this time.
The devil's
children are united in their opposition to God always.
To be honest,
even the Gentile, Pontius Pilate did attempt to set Jesus free, but the moment
he attempted to do this, the Jews raged against him and threatened him with a
charge against his allegiance to Caesar.
Pilate, after
an established tradition of setting one prisoner free at Passover, decided to
offer up Christ as the man to be set free. The Jewish rulers would hear none of
this. They demanded, instead that Barabbas, a depraved murderer, be set free
instead. Let me tell you here and now, that Barabbas represented each one of
us. Because of Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension, we all, who were
offenders against God and man, have been set free.
Please note this
political decision of poor and cowardly Pilate: And Pilate, when he had
called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this
man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined
him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof
ye accuse him: No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing
worthy of death is done unto him. I will therefore chastise him, and
release him. (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the
feast.) And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and
release unto us Barabbas: (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for
murder, was cast into prison.) Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus,
spake again to them. But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify
him. And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I
have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him
go. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be
crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. And
Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he released
unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had
desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will. (Luke 23:13-25)
So Christ was
beaten with many stripes, tortured and delivered up for crucifixion – a crown
of thorns on His head to ridicule His claim to be the Son of God.
He was cast
without the gate of Jerusalem as the Son of the Owner of the Vineyard. Along
the Via Dolorosa, He carried His heavy cross – the cross intended for you and
me. He was driven all the way to Golgotha on Calvary's brow and crucified
between to criminals. The events of that day will await further revelation in
next week's sermon for Easter.
Are you ready
to partake of the Communion of the Lord's Table?
Bishop
Dennis Campbell’s Sunday Sermon
As
is oft the case, we are honored to present Bishop Dennis’ Sunday sermon presented
to his parish. Dennis has an
excellent command of scripture and is able to present it in a manner which is
completely understandable to the rest of us. This year’s sermons are being drawn from the book of
Psalms, or, as it is known by Anglicans, "The Psalter" which begins on page 343 of the Book of Common
Prayer. Today he discussed the
psalm for this Sunday, Psalm 24.
We think you will really enjoy it!
God the King of Glory
Psalm 24, Philippians 2:5-11,
Matthew 27:1-54
Palm Sunday
1 April 2012
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rant, O Lord, that by thy holy Word
read and preached in this place, and by thy Holy Spirit grafting it inwardly in
the heart, the hearers thereof may both perceive and know what things they
ought to do, and may have power and strength to fulfill the same. Amen
Psalm 24. Domini est terra.
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HE earth
is the Lord’s, and all that therein is; * the compass of the world, and they
that dwell therein.
2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, * and
stablished it upon the floods.
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? * or
who shall rise up in his holy place?
4 Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; *
and that hath not lift up his mind unto vanity, nor sworn to deceive his
neighbour.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, * and
righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of them that seek him; *
even of them that seek thy face, O God of Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up,
ye everlasting doors; * and the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? * It is the Lord strong
and mighty, even the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up,
ye everlasting doors; * and the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? * Even the Lord of
hosts, he is the King of glory.
Today we enter the last week of Lent. In times past,
the prayers and fastings of Lent were even more devoutly observed during this
week, and the people of God spent the evenings together in Church. Thus,
the Prayer Book gives Collects and readings for each day of this week, just as
it does for Sundays. I can imagine whole families and communities coming
together in worship, prayers, and fastings, as they gathered around the
Scriptures to read of the great work of Redemption accomplished by Christ
Saviour. Though we can't spend every evening in Church this week, we can
still gather around the Bible in our homes, and, with prayer and fasting, read
again the story of our Saviour's love. I encourage you to do this.
With all that is in me, I encourage you to do this.
Sometimes called, "Holy Week," the
last week of Lent is also called "The Great Week," because of the
great things our Lord accomplished for us, and "Passion Week,"
because it leads up to Good Friday and the passion, or, suffering of Christ.
It begins today with Palm Sunday, which recalls the Lord's "Triumphal
Entry" into Jerusalem. The people expected Him to form and army and
drive the Romans out of Israel. Thus they gave Him a war hero's welcome,
casting the branches of palm trees on the road as a sign of honour. The
Collect expresses the love of God in sending His only Son to die for us. Philippians
2:5-11 reminds us of the unimaginable condescension of Christ in becoming a
human and going to the cross. Matthew 27 shows Him enduring these things
for our salvation. Psalm 24 is that great Messianic Psalm that looks
forward to the day when the Lord Himself comes to Jerusalem and ascends the
hill of Zion to take His place in the Temple. "Lift up your heads, O
ye gates... and the King of glory shall come in."
Psalm 24 pictures Israel processing up the hill of
Mt. Zion to worship God in the Tabernacle, and, later, the Temple. As they
ascend the hill they ask themselves, "Who shall ascend into the hill of
the Lord? or who shall rise up in His holy place?" The Psalm also
pictures God coming to the Temple to receive their worship, and it reminds them
to open the gates, that is, to be receptive to His coming. The Psalm is
easily seen to contain three parts. First is the declaration of the
greatness of God as shown in creation. Second is the announcement of who is
worthy to enter the holy place and stand in the presence of God. Third is
the description of God entering the holy place to receive the worship of His
people and to bless them with His presence and grace. It is this third
emphasis that is the cause for reading this Psalm today. It pictures God
Himself coming to the city of Jerusalem. At His arrival, the gates are
opened wide for Him to enter and ascend Mt Zion to be enthroned in the holy
place and in the hearts of His people.
It is easy to see the relevance of the Psalm to the
Triumphal Entry of Christ. Christ fulfills the Psalm, for it is in Christ
that our God literally entered Jerusalem and the Temple. And it is by
enthroning Christ that we enthrone God in our hearts as King and God of us.
All of this has been the introduction to the sermon,
and I have three points I want to emphasise from the Psalm. First, Christ
is the King of Glory. Second, Christ makes us clean so we can ascend the
hill of the Lord and rise up in His holy place. Third, open the gates of
your heart and let the King of Glory in.
Christ is the King of Glory. This Psalm could
not be more appropriate to the life and ministry of Christ. It is as
though David wrote it with Palm Sunday in mind. And, of course, it was in
God's mind when He inspired David to write it. Christ is our Creator.
"The world was made by Him, and without Him was not any thing made that
was made" wrote the Apostle John in the first chapter of his beloved
Gospel. Therefore, all that the 24th Psalm says of the glory of God, it
says of Christ. The earth is Christ's and all that therein is, the
compass of the world, and they that dwell therein. Christ hath founded it
upon the seas, and stablished it upon the floods. Paul calls Christ the
"lord of glory" in 1 Corinthians 2:8. James uses the same title
for Christ in James 2:1. And we remember, of course, more words from the
Gospel of John, which, after telling us that the Word was with God and the word
was God, and that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, says, "and we
beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace
and truth" (Jn. 1:14). So when we see Christ riding into Jerusalem
we are seeing nothing less than the presence of God entering into His city and
ascending to His Temple. He is the King of Glory.
Christ makes us clean that we may ascend into the
hill of the Lord, and rise up in His holy place. It is obvious that the
hill of the Lord and the holy place of Psalm 24:3 mean much more than simply a
spot on the face of planet earth. The Temple and Mount Zion, and the
Tabernacle before them, have always represented something much greater and much
more glorious. They have always symbolised the very presence of God
Himself. And the Psalm addresses the great and pervading need of all
mankind when it asks, who can ascend into the presence of God, and who shall
rise up in His presence? And what is the answer? He that hath clean
hands and a pure heart. But who can claim to be that person? Who
can claim to be good enough to dwell in the presence of the Almighty and All
Holy God? Our hearts confirm what the Bible tells us clearly, "all have
sinned," "the wages of sin is death," and, "it is appointed
unto man once to die, and after this, the judgment." But the same
Word of God that teaches these things also says, "There is therefore now
no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." How can this be?
The Bible tells us the blood of Christ "cleanseth us from all sin."
By going to the cross and bearing the wrath of God in His own flesh, Christ
paid the price of our sin, and accounts us as righteous in the eyes of God.
That is His gift to all who believe in Him in Biblical faith, and that is the
way sinners receive clean hands and a pure heart and are enabled to ascend the
hill of the Lord and rise up in His holy place.
Finally, open the gates of your heart, and the King
of Glory will come in. In the Psalm, God stands outside of the city of
Jerusalem and the massive gates of the city are closed. The gates had to
be opened to "let" God in. There is great significance in this.
It signifies that we have to open the gates of our hearts if the King of Glory
is going to come into them. And this opening to God is a way of life, not
a one time thing. We have to open our gates, and keep them open if we
want the fellowship and union with God we need above all else in this world.
Lift up your heads o ye gates, and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors, and
the King of Glory shall come in.
--
+Dennis
Campbell
Bishop,
Anglican Orthodox Church Diocese of Virginia
Rector,
Holy Trinity Anglican Orthodox Church
Powhatan,
Virginia
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