<> Ask the Pastor Pastor Walter Snyder Sitting high on Dad's shoulders... watching a parade... wishing to be part of it.... Grand and glorious... beautiful floats... bright costumes... flags and horses... thundering bands. Only years later would I realize that I was already in the grandest, most glorious parade this world has ever known. Palm Sunday through Easter, these days open the soul of Christianity for all to see. Christ parades through this world; do we watch or join? All Scripture centers on these eight days. Christmas angels sang "peace" because the Baby lying in a feed trough would remove sins and make peace with God. God became flesh so he could suffer and die. Likewise, Pentecost's wonder wasn't because Galilean fishermen spoke in different languages. Rather, in those languages they proclaimed Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Savior of the world. Jesus' assigned path was laid out from all eternity. He came to earth not to entertain watchers, but to save sinners and lead them to heaven. He refused to be tempted from this path, either by Satan or by his own desires. He couldn't be threatened or bullied from the route by religious or secular authorities. A parade for God Incarnate should be glorious, yet much of it was hideously ugly, grotesquely violent. This week--"Holy Week"--displays the lowest and the highest points of Christ's entire life on earth. To human eyes, Palm Sunday topped Jesus' life. The crowd sang his praises, "Hosanna! Save us, we pray!" He was cheered as conquering king and hero of the day. So he would be, but not in the way expected. The crowds thinned; Jesus kept on the route. He made his New Testament, established a new nation, then was betrayed, tortured, and killed. His parade left the city. No longer carried (on donkey-back) and cheered, he carried (his cross and our sins) and was jeered. His lonesome highway ended at a place called Skull. He was lifted up and nailed to the cross. The parade was down to One, abandoned even by his Father. The voices weren't saying "save us." Instead they taunted, "He saved others, himself he cannot save." The skies darkened. The earth shook as he stayed on the cross until his last breath left him. In so doing, he rained on Satan's parade. He interrupted the devil's schemes to lead all humanity to hell, and fulfilled God's plans to lead his people to heaven. He was taken down and buried. On the third day--miracle of miracles!--the parade resumed. Jesus was raised from the dead. Those who killed him and those who stood by watching are forgiven. So are all people everywhere. Our chains are broken. Satan's prisoners are forgiven and freed to follow joyfully where Christ Jesus leads. The death march becomes a victory parade: "Therefore it is said, 'When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.' (Ephesians 4:8)" The Lonely Marcher is joined by countless numbers. They make music with their songs of praise. They are beautifully clothed with the righteousness of Christ which has been given them in Baptism and through his Word. Everyone who believes in Him as Savior and who has been baptized in his Name travels his route with him. We are "buried with Christ by baptism" into his death. We are raised through that same baptism into life eternal. His death puts our sinful natures to death. His resurrection raises us to new life. Look to see who he brought into his ranks. Ahead of you marched Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Moses and Elijah. Peter, James, and John left all they had and followed him. Look closer, now. There are faces less familiar. People throughout history and from around the world take up their crosses and follow him. See, there you are... and there am I. Heaven stands open before us, the true end of this parade route. Our Palm Sunday "hosanna" is answered. We have been saved. Now the alleluias of Easter ring out again. "Praise the Lord!" The host of captives is free and is marching home, bearing Christ's gifts. Christ still gives his gifts in his Word and through his Church. God grant that through them your Holy Week would bring you even closer to your Savior. Until next week, when, Lord willing, we enjoy more of your questions, remember to "Ask the Pastor" at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail ; or catch me around town. Pastor Snyder serves St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville, Texas and is the coauthor of *What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults*. Copyright (c) 1997 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.