Palm Serveday

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, BUT TO SERVE, and to give his life as a ransom for many."  - Mark 10:45

 This entire weekend our church "shut down" forcing its congregation to serve God outside of the comforts of church and sending the message that Jesus came to serve everyone, and so should we. Well I have to admit, I was pretty disappointed that I wouldn't be celebrating my favorite "holiday" in my usual way. Since I became I Christian, I've always loved Palm Sunday. There's something exciting about getting a palm branch and waiting the whole service to finally wave it around in the air dancing and shouting, "Hosanna! Hosanna to the King!" And on such an important/entertaining holiday I could usually convince my family to come along and would wack my brother over the head and tickle his ear with the palm  lol. 

But not only would I not be able to do that this year, but there would be no church services at all???

After I got over my initial disappointment, I let the message of this bold statement sink in. I was reminded that Jesus did not come to make fun traditions, He came to serve. He sacrificed all for me, and the least I can do is sacrifice some for Him and for others. He tells us that is the way to truly live - by loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength AND by loving your neighbor as yourself  (Luke 10:27).

Our church lives by the C-WoW philosophy... that is a Church Without Walls which strives to remember:

• A church is not a building; it is a people who have become the body of Christ. 

• Our goal is to become great servants of the Lord and of others.

• We are called to be a life-giving movement with a mission to serve.

So this Sunday as we remembered Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem my family was able to SERVE the community instead of secluding ourselves within the walls of our church surrounded by fellow believers and comfortable rituals.

"Hosanna" is the Hebrew for "please save us"; today I was saved of my selfishness by being forced to serve.