Palm Sunday, March 25, 2018 Zechariah 9:9-12
Jerusalem has promised that her king is coming to bring peace to the nations. Rejoice (v. 9). What is there to rejoice about? Can we rejoice over the shortage of energy, the arms race, the pollution of the earth, the racial unrest, and political corruption? God gives Israel reason to rejoice — a world ruler is coming in peace for the peace of the world. If we could have world peace, a world government of justice, a ruler of compassion, we would have reason to shout with joy. Has this King not come in Jesus? Christians should be a celebrating people.
Hymn: No Tramp of Soldiers’ Marching Feet (Lutheran Service Book 444:3)
What fading flow’rs His road adorn;
The palms how soon laid down!
No bloom or leaf but only thorn
The king of glory crown.
The soldiers mock, the rabble cries,
The streets with turmult ring,
As Pilate to the mob replies,
“Behold, behold your King!”
Almighty God, You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Make us who come from many nations with many different languages a united people. Defend our liberties, and give those whom we have entrusted with the authority of government the spirit of wisdom that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful; in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen 1
Almighty and ever living God, in Your tender love for the human race You sent Your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of His great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of His suffering, and also share in His resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen 2
1. Collect for our Nation, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
2. Collect for Palm Sunday, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm
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