This was the first Palm Sunday in many years that I was in a service with actual, live palm branches. And, of course, like every service I've been in with live palm branches, the kiddos came parading in, waving them. They were cute as always and did a great job. It got me thinking. Why do we always use kids to wave the palm branches?
Sure, they're cuter and way more fun to watch parade in and stand up front. I think perhaps the real reason is that they are generally able to worship purely and freely. No one usually questions their motives or wonders if they genuinely love. They are mostly genuine and speak their mind honestly and have their true feelings written on their faces. (Sometimes to the chagrin of their parents). :) They do not yet put on the "church mask" that many adults put on.
Often, we adults have become quite cynical and focus more on ourselves and what those around us will think than on Christ. We would feel silly standing in front of the congregation waving our palm branches. We would be too concerned with what those around us think. Should we really care what those around us are thinking? Shouldn't we care more about what Christ is thinking? Our praise and worship is for Him anyway. Should we only focus on celebrating Jesus on Palm Sunday? I don't think so. We should be praising Him every day of our lives. Today we recognize his triumphal entry. Next Sunday, we celebrate His victory over death and wonderful saving grace. He died on the cross to make it possible for us to have and eternal relationship with Him in Heaven. Thank you Jesus. We should be praising Him every day, not just a few days a year.
"But He said, 'If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.'" Luke 19:40 (Message)
I want to always keep my eyes only on you, Jesus. Help me to do that and focus on how you want me to worship, not what those around me will think.
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