While our place of worship has changed from the usual place and time, we are grateful to know that the Body of Christ can worship anytime, anywhere. And a building is just that - a building. The Church is the people, not the place we worship. In these troubled times, our witness for Jesus Christ can be evident to those around us as we take wise precautions, while simultaneously living out our faith with what it means to have a peace that passes all understanding. May you be blessed this week as we see God at work through these unprecedented times. We can get through this together. Our God is able.

Pastor Jerry Koller

Palm Sunday is a reference to the day Jesus arrived in Jerusalem with His disciples in fulfillment of prophecy made by Zechariah

Although they were treating Jesus as their King, in keeping with the meaning of the triumphal entry, it seems clear that they did so with only partial understanding.

Spread out coats and palm branches were ways of expressing homage.

· It was a sign that acknowledged Jesus’ authority and majesty.

· The greeting “Son of David” was a messianic title.

· Coupled with the word Hosanna, the crowd in front of and behind Jesus were in essence saying, “Hail Messiah! Son of David!”

Those who were in the city had a different perspective than the crowds.

· Theirs was one of ignorance.

· They asked, “Who is this? “

· …To have you never look at the palms of your hands the same as you did before Palm Sunday.

· …To encourage you to do something with your palms in regard to the One who comes in the name of the Lord.

· …To encourage you to do something with your palms because you have an answer to the question: “Who is this person?”

David calls out to God in prayer.

· He uses words, which are symbols of speech.

· He uses a part of his body in a symbolic way.

On this Palm Sunday, I encourage you to lift up your hands to the Most Holy Place, to Jesus, and acknowledge His holiness and authority.

Give Him thanks and honor for what He has done and is doing in your life.

We must also lift up our hands to Jesus on behalf of others.

· If there is one group of Americans that should excel in looking out for the needs of others, it should be the church of Jesus Christ.

All of us can do this. All of us must do this for this is good and pleasing to God.

· Take it seriously.

· Submit yourselves to the governing authorities.

Lifting up holy hands is not so much a description of the posture of prayer as it is a reference to cleanliness—to an absence of sin.

· It has to do with purity.

“Everyone” is a term of distinction.

· Prayer should be offered for all without distinction.

· Paul mentions kings

· We need to pray for elected officials.

· We are to pray for all those in authority…(the President, the Speaker of the House, our congressmen and women and our senators, our State Governor and other officials.)

Why Pray for Those in Authority?

On this Palm Sunday lift up holy hands in prayer.

· Honor and praise Him.

· Give Him the glory due His name.

· Acknowledge His authority for we are the servants of the King of Kings.

Let us pray for those in authority over us for this is good and pleasing to God our Savior.

First Baptist Church

1635 76th Street

South Haven, MI 49090

269-637-1291

southhavenfbc@gmail.com