In our Old Testament lesson we see the results of the Israelites’ ‘golden calf’ rebellion and Moses’ smashing of the first set of tablets from the Lord. – They needed a new start!

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.”’”

Exodus 8:1 (ESV)

In our Passion Sunday Gospel text, we hear the people shouting praises to the Lord, welcoming Him into town. Later that same week, the people will be shouting “crucify Him!” Because of their rebellion they will also need a new start!

We need not even look to some monumental rebellion in our lives to see what we need. Every day we rebel again God, His heart, His laws, His children, His creation – and every rebellion results in the same need – a new start!

That’s what God does; He gives a new start in Jesus. Through His promised coming, His birth, His life, His suffering, His miracles, His teachings, His scoldings, His sermons, His unjust trial, His beatings, His mockings, His death, His resurrection, His appearances, His ascension, and His preparation of our everlasting Home with Him, His promise to come again – all of it is about another chance, away from death and in His Life! It’s about His mercy, His forgiveness, His grace upon grace! It’s about no longer having the Law written in stone to threaten stoning but the opportunity to shout “Hosanna to the Son of David!” because there is “now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1)!

And because we are given another chance, we also have the opportunity – the joyful obligation and privilege – to give chances to others, too.

As we have been forgiven, we forgive. As we have been granted Life, we share. As we have been loved, we love.

As we start a difficult and most-Holy week, let us wrestle with both the reason a “second change” needed to be given in Jesus; sin. Our sin. But let us not stay on the reason, but move instead to the Solution, the Savior, the Lord – Jesus! Through Him we have all things. And through Him we live in newness of life; for Him and for others.

Hosanna! Hosanna! Thank You Lord Jesus!

“We praise and thank You, Lord God, heavenly Father, for giving all mankind – for giving us a second chance through Your Son, our Savior Jesus! Through Him we have all we need or could ever want or imagine! Grant us, Lord, to share Your mercy and grace in our hearts and actions joyfully. Focus us this Holy week on Your willing, full, and complete Sacrifice for us, Jesus, and grant that we continue from the depths of Good Friday to the height of Easter Sunday; which changed everything! In Jesus’ most precious Name do we pray. Amen!”

Scripture

  • Exodus 34:1-8
  • Matthew 21:1-11
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