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Lectionary Meditations

Lectionary Meditation – Palm Sunday

The rage and hatred of Satan is palpable. Satan’s hatred of God is so strong, so intense, that whenever He sees something good from God, he wants to ruin it, crush it. And then comes Jesus, and all throughout Jesus’ ministry Satan is frustrated and defeated. He tried to tempt Jesus into wickedness – that normally worked with humans – but it didn’t work with Christ Jesus, the Son of God. And Jesus leaves the wilderness, heads back into Israel – and Jesus,the Holy One of God, messes with Satan. Where illness corrupted the body, Jesus would heal. Where lack and hunger brought sorrow, Jesus would bring plenty. Where demons held people in bondage, Jesus would set free. On and on it goes, until Jesus even rides on into Jerusalem, the abode of peace.

Enraged, Satan is determined to strike at Christ. There is nothing the devil would love more than to wound the Holy one, than to get at Him somehow. And an opportunity presents itself, and Satan strikes. This loyal Jesus is betrayed. This just Jesus suffers injustice, both of a sham court as well as rulers who would not protect Him. This Jesus, the Lord of Life, is handed over to death. And there, at the Cross, Satan thought he had finally gotten the upper hand – the ultimate defilement. The Living One of Israel would die.

Satan knew the scriptures, but he did not believe them. He did not understand them. What Satan thought was his victory over Jesus and His holiness, His righteousness, His purity was in fact an invasion. The strong man thought his goods were safe, but He just dragged the stronger Man, Christ Jesus, into His palace. With His death, Jesus would wreck and destroy death. He would shatter the power and terror of Satan. Satan bruised Christ, but Christ crushed the Devil. Satan pierced Christ’s side, but Jesus deranged the old serpent. This One you foolishly killed, Satan – He will rise, and because He rises, we all do with Him.

By Rev. Eric Brown

Rev. Eric Brown is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Herscher, Illinois.

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