I'm still wrestling with what to do with contemplative Christianity. To some extent I agree with reformers like John Calvin who detested icons and statues and images in a house of worship to the Lord. I also have an uneasiness about "emptying the mind/soul" and using "spiritual aids" like prayer labyrinths. However, I think that it is good to take time away from what we consider regular life to meet with God, to converse with Him and to dwell with ever more focus on His teachings, to live out the love and grace that He alone can provide and to grow in our sanctification. Our goal is to be like our Savior - to be transformed into Christlikeness, following His teachings and commands to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself" (Luke 10:27). This includes "going to all nations and making disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey all that He has commanded" (Matt. 28:19-20).
It is a worthy endeavor to think upon the life and purpose of Jesus Christ. The Gospels spend substantial time relating the events of Passion Week. By meditating on the holy word given to us through the Spirit, we can seek to be transformed by that same Spirit, to be more like our Savior. However we must be careful to live this out not only in our minds but in all parts of our lives - with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Lord, may we live this out fully in our lives by Your grace. Deliver us from temptation and help us to live for You in real and concrete ways all the days of our lives.
Here is a brief look at the events of the weekend that included Palm Sunday. May it lead us ever closer to our Savior.
Likely after sunset on Friday before Passion Week, Jesus and his disciples arrived at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus at Bethany. This would be their home base until the following Thursday.
Over the weekend, the group is invited to dine at the residence of Simon the Leper. While there, Mary pours out a jar of pure nard on Jesus' head and feet, which Jesus sees as a symbolic preparation for his burial. Judas claims that the cost of the perfume could have been given to the poor, and in John's account Judas' flawed character is first noted.
On Palm Sunday, Jesus sent two disciples into Jerusalem to acquire a donkey's colt for him to ride into town. They found everything as Jesus predicted. Jesus rode into Jerusalem triumphantly on the colt to the praise and adoration of the crowds, who see him as the miracle-worker who raised Lazarus from the dead, a mighty healer, and the Son of David. His triumphal entry marks the fulfillment of Is. 62:11-12, Zech. 9:9 and the beginning action of Ezek. 44:2. The crowds put their cloaks and palm branches on the path for him and shout, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!" (Mark 11:9-10). Here Jesus begins to fulfill Ps. 118:15-29. In the city, Jesus went to the temple and performed his final healing ministry before his crucifixion. The chief priests and teachers of the law are offended by the crowds' response to Jesus and seek to rebuke him. That night Jesus and his disciples return to Bethany.
