iCrucified

[01APRIL2012] Lent | Palm Sunday 2012: Day 40—Reflection and Meditation

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had;  He emptied himself, setting aside his divine right to become human like us… humbling himself to become a sacrifice for our redemption, so we might be set free.

♦ Psalms 118:1-2, 19-29

♦ Philippians 2:5-11

♦ Mark 11:1-11

Hosanna! Save us, O Lord. Hear me when I cry aloud; Be gracious to me and answer me! “Come,” my heart says, “Seek God’s face!” Your face, Lord, do I seek. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be—world without end. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Savior 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, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

I consider the historical work of Christ and recognize by faith that He has “saved me.” He has completed the work of redeeming humanity of which I belong. It’s easy though, for me to get lost in the theological intellectualization of this soteriological truth. But what does that do for me now…today—my living present? Hosanna! Save me now, O LORD! And he does. He is now—saving me; day by day and moment by moment, He is saving me. Each day I encounter the blessing of intimate and present relationship with my God. He dwells within me, walks beside, redeems all my past, and reconciles me future into His eternal plan. I bear witness to this in my “now.” Hosanna! Save me, O LORD, as I am saved.

It I right to praise you, Almighty God, for the acts of love by which you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was proclaimed as King of kings by those who spread their garments and branches of palm along his way. Let these branches be for us signs of his victory, and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives and reigns in glory with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.