“Above Every Name” by Phil Russell

“Above Every Name” by Phil Russell

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion 

Jesus Christ, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, 8he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:6-11

On the next day, when the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches* and went out to meet him, and cried out: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, [even] the king of Israel.” Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as is written: “Fear no more, O daughter Zion; see, your king comes, seated upon an ass’s colt. (John 12:12-16

Piety

JESUS, the Name which is above every name.

Study

Let’s just imagine a parade, and that there are two possibilities, two different men.  One Pilate, the Roman Governor. The man worthy (in man’s/Roman’s eyes.)

The other, the one who would be worthy (in Roman standards) of the Palm Branches.  Those branches waved and laid down, were the equivalent in that time of our days “ticker-tape” parade.  But, into town comes this “nobody” riding on the colt of an Ass.

The Ass/Donkey was an ancient symbol of Peace. Appropriate, for Jesus, since he opposed oppression and injustice. 

This Galilean.

This son of a Carpenter.

This person who comes to the “big city” with a traveling band made up of fishermen, tax collector, zealots, just to name just a few.  

Can you imagine the idea?

What would you think if this were the man riding in a parade that should have been yours?

Action 

Not unlike our day or our times, .who’s parade would you attend?

Pilate’s?

Jesus’? 

“Remember (me) when you come into your Kingdom!”

Do we stand up for the oppressed?

Do we stand up for the marginalized?

Those who suffer from “injustice?"

Who’s parade will you attend?

Shout “Hosanna?" 

Oh yeah, it’s Sunday!

Where will you be come Thursday evening, deny him (fear)?

Or Friday, “Crucify him!”

Or how about Saturday?  “Cower.”

We read this account, but how are we changed?  PIETY!

How does it change us? STUDY!

How do we stand with Jesus? ACTION!

Yesterday?

Today?

Forever?

“Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

JESUS.  Every knee shall bow!

Who would you be if Jesus was lucky enough to be you?

We stand, we watch, we decide!

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(Painting from a private collection)