Millions across the globe have been celebrating Holy Week in recent days, one of the most sacred weeks of the year for the Christian faith. The notable week began by remembering the communal palms and pomp acknowledging Jesus\u2019 triumphal arrival in Jerusalem some 2,000 plus years ago; it ends with the celebration of his resurrection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I find the week in between fascinating, where between those two momentous events, the same community that celebrated Jesus elected to execute Jesus, killing him in one of the cruelest ways possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There really is zero judgment in me whatsoever. My seemingly constantly curious mind simply sits with a couple key questions \u2014 questions, I admit \u2014 I can\u2019t answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why didn\u2019t they recognize Jesus 2,000 ago?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why don\u2019t we always recognize him now?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n What gets in the way?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Again, I don\u2019t have the right answers. I have no idea what I would have done in that community centuries ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I simply find it fascinating that all the world\u2019s major religions include Jesus in their description of reality; they neither deny his existence nor discount the entirety of his wisdom. He is revered and respected in various degrees by our brothers and sisters adhering to Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. That prompts me to pay attention to his story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I think of that week leading up to the crucifixion \u2014 an event that is acknowledged across diverse, organized religions\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here Jesus comes into Israel\u2019s capital city, and yet, the crowd seemed to have no idea as to who he was or what he was planning to do. But yet \u2014 they celebrate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Writes respected author Paul David Tripp in regard to the surging crowd\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey cry, \u2018Hosanna\u2019 (which means, \u2018Save us\u2019), but the salvation they are looking for is temporal and political. They think the Messiah will set up an earthly kingdom that will break the back of Roman rule. This is why Jesus cannot be distracted by the adulatory desires of the crowd around him. He knows the hearts of people and how fickle they can be.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I often wonder if that\u2019s a little how I am some days \u2014 looking for salvation in something earthly\u2026 looking for love in all the wrong places, so-to-speak. Where am I investing so much time and energy in something lesser? \u2026 in things that can\u2019t so-called \u201csave\u201d me or give me a hope that lasts\u2026 that\u2019s unshakeable. I wonder where I find faith in what\u2019s temporal\u2026 or what my emotions lead me most to\u2026 or if I ever crave more from the political arena than it was ever intended \u2014 and capable \u2014 of actually delivering. Politics will never be a savior. It can\u2019t. I wish we got that. I\u2019m thinking it would change how we treat one another in the current day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I wonder if that in totality is what gets in the way\u2026 we keep looking for salvation in people and places that are incapable of saving us; we keep placing our faith and hope in things that aren\u2019t lasting or able. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As the week comes to a close, and Easter prompts me to yes, sing but also be solemn and still, I find myself still asking questions\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 being curious\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n A blessed Easter to you, friends\u2026 Wherever you are on your faith journey, may it be one filled with curiosity, joy, and an unshaken hope that will forever last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blessings\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Millions across the globe have been celebrating Holy Week in recent days, one of the most sacred weeks of the year for the Christian faith. The notable week began by remembering the communal palms and pomp acknowledging Jesus\u2019 triumphal arrival in Jerusalem some 2,000 plus years ago; it ends with the celebration of his resurrection. … <\/p>\n