Divine Service ~ March 20, 2016 ~ Palm/Passion Sunday

\Our King willingly comes to set us free by His Passion! With joy we meet him. With palms we praise him. We join the procession to honor and welcome the Conqueror over death and hell as he proceeds to the battlefield. Zechariah foresaw this (Traditional First Lesson — Zechariah 9:9,10). The joy is great for we know the cross leads to Easter. This is more than reenactment. We presently accompany this Victor as he enters his house today to give us this victory. After the procession, we are confronted with his cries from the cross (Introit) and we hear of his Passion (Gospel). This does not surprise us, but rather is the very reason we carry palms: Our victory, of which palms are symbolic, is won by his cross!
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Today also sets the stage for Holy Week. It’s not a week of mourning, but there are notes of joy and victory throughout, a realization that Christ’s sacred Passion was the path to Easter glory (Second Lesson). We will not understand this week unless we keep this in mind. That is true even today as we hear of His death, but receive him alive in the Supper. 

Divine Service – March 20, 2016 – Palm/Passion Sunday
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