Palm Sunday ~ Queen - We Are the Champions

Though many churches have begun celebrating the last Sunday of Lent as Palm/Passion Sunday, I decided that for the purposes of this list, I could actually keep the traditional feasts separate. Traditionally, the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was celebrated on the last Sunday before Easter, and the passion was celebrated beginning on Thursday night. Of course, I think that "triumphal entry" is both highly accurate and extremely misleading. Palm Sunday is the day we commemorate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. After his time of ministry throughout Israel, he enters Jerusalem amidst cheers and calls for God's saving strength. But this is where we come to the misleading part - Jesus did not come to lead a violent uprising. Everyone was expecting him to come in strength and power, and instead, he comes riding a donkey. So I label this song The Disciples' Song, because I feel it better represents their feeling on entering Jerusalem. Jesus enters in his power, but also knowing that the victory to come will not come as others expect. Jesus knows what the coming days will hold. The disciples, Jesus' friends that never seem to catch on, are the ones with the expectations of what this entry means. And so, much as my friends and I after winning an academic team competition, the disciples are entering town with the trophy raised high while Queen blares from the stereo...while Jesus again tries to help them learn what it means to be a servant king.