“Blessed are hearts that can bend; they shall never be broken.”
~ Albert Camus
The journey of Jesus as told by Mark begins with the proclamation of John the Baptist in Mark 1:7-8, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
From there, Jesus’ heart opens at his baptism. His heart is tested in his showdown with Satan in the wilderness. His heart reaches out in his call to the first disciples. His heart is fierce in casting out demons and meeting the opposition of religious authorities. His heart is wise in responding to tough questions and in teaching the curious. His heart is compassionate in offering healing to the hurting and nourishment to the hungry.
Now, as the journey continues, his heart is purposeful. This coming Palm Sunday our scripture from Mark 11:1-11 presents Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Mark describes Jesus entering Jerusalem on a young colt. With joy the crowds shout “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Later, beyond the shouts of the crowd, Jesus’ heart will bend. Hurt by betrayal he says to Peter, James and John, “I am deeply grieved, even to death” (14:34).
The heart of Jesus bends-yet it does not break.
Jesus weeps, yet his tears are not lost. Beyond Gethsemane and the grave, the heart of Jesus opens wider than the rock blocked tomb, soaring free with life eternal.
The heart of Jesus is blessed, and blessings available to all are full-filled through his faithfulness.
This Sunday, our hearts will align with the heart of Jesus as he sojourns the streets of Jerusalem. We too are in the story. Future generations are included when the crowds shout, “Blessings on the coming realm of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:10).
The blessed heart of Jesus is an expansive heart: it holds a place for each of us. When our hearts bend, we have an understanding companion in Jesus who carries us through to blessings full-filled.
I look forward to seeing you for beautiful Palm Sunday worship at 9AM and 11AM.
Faithfully,
Rev. Dwayne
