Tessera Materials

Opening Prayer

Eternal God,
whose Word silences the shouts of the mighty:
Quiet within us every voice but your own.
Speak to us through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ,
that by the power of your Holy Spirit
we may receive grace to receive and show Christ's love
in lives given to you.
Amen.

Scripture

*If children are present with you you might consider 'Jesus Enters Jerusalem' on page 196 and 'The Journey to the Cross' on page 214 of God's Big Picture Storybook Bible as stories to read and discuss with the children. Ask the children to share their thoughts about each story. Help them understand that although we want to see our enemies defeated Jesus wants to show us what true forgiveness looks like as he offers forgivness to the world so we can draw near to the life of God.

Philippians 2:5-11
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; [7] rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! [9] Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Psalm 31:9-16
Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. [10] My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. [11] Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends—those who see me on the street flee from me. [12] I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. [13] For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!” They conspire against me and plot to take my life. [14] But I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.” [15] My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. [16] Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.

Reflection & Discussion

It’s Palm Sunday, friends. Let’s welcome the beauty of Jesus into our midst—and open our eyes to the road he will walk in the days ahead. We join the cry, “Hosanna—God, save us,” and we watch him closely.

With even a brief, honest glance, we notice our own grasping: reaching for palms, longing for victory over whoever and whatever oppresses us. We are practiced at this. We crave comfort, control, certainty, and more, and we reach for whoever or whatever promises to give them.

Then Jesus enters. In the midst of our grasping, he chooses another way. Even in our attempts to grasp him and use him as a tool, the one who is living water for the world will flow in his own way. He empties himself of all but love, even to the point of death, entrusting himself fully to the Father. There is no grasping in him—only trust. And in this posture, we see that the victory over evil will be secured.

Praise God for Jesus, our faithful substitute. Where we fail to entrust ourselves to the Father, he remains faithful. And now he invites us to find our life in him and to follow in his steps.

• We can often find ourselves in cycles of grasping for both people and things to bring us comfort, certainty, and control. Along this way we can often hurt ourselves and others. Share how you've seen this to be true in your life and in our world. Then share together how keeping our eyes on Jesus, our faithful substitute in turning from grasping to entrusting his life to the Father, can help us as we walk his path of self-emptying love.

Closing Prayer

Lead us, O God, in the way of Christ.
Give us courage to take up our cross
and, in full reliance upon your grace, to follow him.
Help us to love you above all else
and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves,
demonstrating that love in deed and word by the power of your Spirit.
Give us strength to serve you faithfully
until the promised day of resurrection,
when, with the redeemed of all the ages,
we will feast with you at your table prepared for us in your new creation.
Amen.

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