Will I Praise Jesus all Week Long?

I love Passion Sunday, commonly referred to as Palm Sunday.  There's a buzz in the air.  It's one of the few Sundays in the church year when Lutherans are encouraged to wave our hands as we praise God.  Children parade through the sanctuary singing "all glory, laud, and honor to you Redeemer King!"  This is worship!  You can almost feel a sense of relief that the contemplative season of Lent is drawing to a close and Easter is almost here.  As I leave worship, I am renewed, and I can barely wait to return to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord.

But wait.  There's more.  There is so much more  that will happen between Passion Sunday and Easter Sunday, and I need to be a part of it.  I need to praise Jesus all week long.  I need to be with Jesus all week long.  It's easy to praise Jesus when the crowd is praising Jesus.  The Jesus who healed the sick, fed the multitudes, calmed the sea, and raised Lazarus from the dead.  But I need to praise Jesus all week long.

But will I praise Jesus all week long?  Will I praise the Jesus who washed the Disciples' feet, modeling what it means to be a servant?  Will I praise the Jesus who kissed the very friend who would betray him?  Will I praise Jesus when he stands defenseless before Pilate, while he is sentenced to be crucified?  Will I still be praising Jesus when he prays "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do?"  Will I praise Jesus when he dies on the cross for my sins?

I need to praise Jesus all week long.  I need to take the journey all the way to the cross with Jesus.  But will I?  Will you take the journey with me?

Dear Lord God, help me to not be tempted to "fast forward" to Easter Sunday.  Give me the faith and courage to take the journey all the way to the cross with Jesus.  Grant me the humility to see my own sin as I take this journey.  God of Mercy, thank you for the gift of your Son.  May I praise him all week long.

In His name we pray,  Amen.

Cara Hartfield