Palm Sunday: COATS

“As Jesus rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. “ Luke 19:29-40

The disciples sent to fetch the colt for Jesus' entry into Jerusalem are the first to relinquish their cloaks, casting them over the colt so that Jesus does not ride bareback into town. The crowds follow suit, spreading their cloaks on the road to show their reverence for Jesus of Nazareth. They offer up their cloaks willingly to the very One who instructs his followers to give up the shirts off their backs. Their exuberant joy at Jesus' arrival overcomes any impulse to hold back emotions or resources.

On this Palm Sunday, might we be more like those in the crowd who laid down their coats in the road to prepare the way for Jesus? Too often we suppress both our praise and our generosity. We calculate the cost of our giving; we value the protection of our coats over the worship of our Christ. We justify standing in the back by saying things like, “There are enough coats on the road already." 

When we hold back our cries of "hosanna" and cling to our coats, the loss is ours.  Jesus himself told the Pharisees that if the crowds did not testify, the stones would cry out.  Have no doubt: Jesus still enters triumphantly into Jerusalem, with or without our coats on the road under his feet.  Creation yet sings and the streets overflow with palms and songs.    

This Palm Sunday is no time to hold back, to reserve our valued garments or subdue our shouts.  Let’s join the crowd!   Proclaim with abandon. Praise Jesus with song and prayer. Throw your coat into the mix, spread it on the road in adoration. Give way to your urge to be generous with your affection, your resources, your love. Jesus will not walk the earth forever. The time is now.

Questions for reflection:

1.  What are you holding back from Jesus? From others?

2. When have you been moved to throw your coat on the road—to give something away with abandon, without calculating the cost?

Lord Jesus, today of all days, I shout with joy that you have come into the world and come into my life. Your compassion for me and for all creation stuns me. What can I give to show my gratitude? My desire to follow you? My love for you? You do not desire sacrifices, but ask instead for a contrite heart and unrestrained worship. In thanksgiving and praise, I spread my coat on the road before you, a symbol of my hope to hold nothing back from you who gave everything for me. Amen.

Thank you for journeying through Lent with us…

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Thanks to Jill J. Duffield for allowing us to adapt from her book, Lent in Plain Sight: A Devotion Through Ten Objects.