Reflection

This psalm is a song of praise which was probably written to commemorate the victory of Judas Maccabaeus over the Syrians in 167 BC. The Syrians had desecrated the Temple and the people had been persecuted for their faith, so it was a tremendous relief when the Maccabaeans drove the Syrians out and re-consecrated the Temple.
Just as it is a tremendous relief to us that the vaccination programme seems to be working after a year of restrictions, illness and death.
The reading starts and ends with 'O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.'
Is that how you felt during the last year?
Did you feel that, throughout everything that was happening, God still loved you and did you feel his guiding hand?
As you know, I lost Alfreda quite suddenly last year and, although it was very hard at the time, looking back I can see how God brought me through it and continues to guide me to yet another new beginning.
I hope that if you have also suffered loss you too have felt God's love and guidance.
As a church we have found it difficult not being able to meet physically, but hopefully these 'mini-services' are helping you to feel connected. For those of us who are lucky enough to have computers or smart phones, we have had the extra joy of joining with Zoe every Sunday morning to sing the hymns that have been chosen for the mini services.
For those without computers I hope you have found a way of worshipping, but if you haven't, can I recommend the Radio Tees weekly 1/2 hour service every Sunday at 8am. These services are presented by people from different church backgrounds and I have found them very uplifting.
So we go forward in the hope that it will not be long before we will all be able to meet again at Northgate and to sing with thanksgiving

Reflection

What is important to realise about this passage is that it was obviously planned. The frustrating thing about the gospels is that there is a lot that goes on in the background that the writers either assumed that people already knew or that they thought it was unimportant. So we are left with unanswered questions such as who had made these arrangements -Jesus himself or someone close to him? Or could it be one of the women who also travelled with him but are hardly ever mentioned.
Be that as it may, the instructions to the un-named disciples were clear, as was the password 'The Lord needs it.'
What followed was pure, deliberate, symbolism which the prophets of the Old Testament often used to get their message across and which Jesus also used in his preaching, especially in his parables.
As Zechariah said in our opening words 'Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey'.
This prophesy was well known to the Jews as prophesising the coming of the Messiah. The one who would save Israel.
The symbolism started with the colt. If a King came in peace he came on a donkey or a colt, if he came for a fight he came on a horse. So firstly Jesus was showing that he was coming in peace to win people's hearts and that he would not be the warring King that the Israelites were hoping for to free them from the Romans.
The spreading of the cloaks and palm branches was harking back to the welcome given to Maccabaeus who had saved the Jewish religion. Hosanna does not translate as 'Hooray!' but 'Save Us' i.e. a saviour King as was Maccabaeus.
So by his symbolism Jesus was claiming that he was the Messiah and the saviour of Israel.
He didn't have to say a word, because actions speak louder than words and the Jewish Authorities knew very well what it all meant. Equally, they knew that they would have to do something about it.
So the stage was set for the next dramatic acts of the story, the arrest, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
So what can we take from this story?
This was one of the highlights of Jesus' ministry, but he also suffered lows, the worst of which were to come.
All our lives are a mixture of highs and lows and I am sure that over the last twelve months many of us have suffered a lot of lows. But then there have been highs in the simple things, such as an act of kindness, a beautiful sunny day or a phone call from a friend.
When Jesus needed help to cope he prayed to his Father God for guidance and strength.
We too can pray to God for help and guidance and God will provide it, often in ways that we were not expecting.
So if you are feeling low or helpless and in need of help pray to God, but also do not be afraid to ask for help from your friends and family including your friends from Northgate.
And if things are going well for you, thank God and then look to see who you can help and cheer up by a phone call, a letter/email or a doorstep visit and together we will get through this time of trial.