Cloak Sunday
Scripture – Luke 19:35-38: 35They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Reflection: This describes what we usually call Palm Sunday – although in Luke’s account perhaps we should call it Cloak Sunday. Whatever we call it, it’s the day Jesus returned to Jerusalem knowing his appointment with the cross was just a few days away.
I’m struck by the resoluteness He displays. He would not be dissuaded, even by His friends. He knew this was why He came. This was the final act of redemption and hope for humankind. As terrible as it would be for Him, He kept moving forward.
It’s also clear that He quite intentionally drew attention to Himself on this day. In fact, the very way He rode in on the colt, with the crowds praising Him, was a Messianic image. Tomorrow’s reading shows that the Pharisees picked up on that right away. He was being very clear about who He was and what His role was, no matter what the cost. I’m aware He did that for all of us – including me.
An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.
Reading for Sunday, June 28
Luke 19:39-40: 39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Reading for Monday, June 29
Luke 19:41-44: 41As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
Reflection: This describes what we usually call Palm Sunday – although in Luke’s account perhaps we should call it Cloak Sunday. Whatever we call it, it’s the day Jesus returned to Jerusalem knowing his appointment with the cross was just a few days away.
I’m struck by the resoluteness He displays. He would not be dissuaded, even by His friends. He knew this was why He came. This was the final act of redemption and hope for humankind. As terrible as it would be for Him, He kept moving forward.
It’s also clear that He quite intentionally drew attention to Himself on this day. In fact, the very way He rode in on the colt, with the crowds praising Him, was a Messianic image. Tomorrow’s reading shows that the Pharisees picked up on that right away. He was being very clear about who He was and what His role was, no matter what the cost. I’m aware He did that for all of us – including me.
An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.
Reading for Sunday, June 28
Luke 19:39-40: 39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Reading for Monday, June 29
Luke 19:41-44: 41As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
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