For Our Sake — Palm Sunday

Grace Church

“Father Jack”, as he is affectionately known, has served the parishioners of Grace Episcopal Church as their rector since 2004.

Would we be free from the burden of sin?
Free from passion and pride.
Free to praise, free to serve Jesus our King.
The cleansing in Calvary’s tide, the life giving flow.
Would we be free?

Blood.
A day of blood.
For our sake.
It’s about time to decide what we believe.
Do we believe there was just a little blood? Enough for some but not for all?
Or do we believe that the blood was copious? A mighty torrent. A cleansing tide. Enough blood to wash away all our sins, enough blood to resuscitate this dying creation, enough blood to transfuse our anemic souls?
How much blood was there? It is time to decide what we believe.
How big an atonement is being made for the sins of the world?
It is time to decide.
Do we believe in a small sacrifice? Just enough for some, for those who get it right, but not for all, especially not for certain kinds of people.
Or do we believe in a big sacrifice? An atonement of literally biblical proportions.
An atonement in which all divisions cease, all differences are honored and cherished, all grievances addressed, all emptiness filled, all pain becomes dancing, and all grief becomes joy?
How big an atonement do we believe in?
It is time to decide what we believe.
How many prisoners have been set free? How many captives are released? Has ole Pharaoh lost all or some of his slaves? Has bondage ended only for some or for good?
How big an exodus is happening?
Is it a small exodus, a mild irritant to Satan’s schemes?
Or is the exodus the great prison break, foiling Satan’s devilry forever?

How many captives are released?
It is time to decide what we believe.
How much power is in the blood?
Is the chalice half full or does it runneth over?
It is time to decide.
Is there just a little power? After all, we don’t need too much, just enough to make us feel spiritual. Enough to make us better than others? Especially some. Just enough for some, but not for all. That wouldn’t be fair.
Or is there truly wonder-working power in the precious blood of the lamb?
Power, Power, wonder-working power.
Power to transform and renew.
Power to bring life where there was only death.
Power to work miracles?
Power to raise the dead and harrow the gates of hell?
How much power is in the blood?
It is time to decide what we believe.

How much hope?
How much thanksgiving?
How much praise?
How much is life changed?
Is it something small? Or is it something vast, the ever-flowing stream?