Theological Column by Adrienne Greene
Q:
Dear Pastor,
I heard there are many spiritual events intersecting Palm Sunday this year. Does this mean anything?
A:
Yes, I believe it does. Palm Sunday 2021, which marks the triumphal Sunday right before Easter (for those who may need a refresher on Christian holidays), occurs in the middle of two significant events on God’s calendar this year. What do I mean by “God’s calendar”? Let’s take a look at calendars of the Judeo-Christian heritage before we begin:
The human race, at least from the Judeo-Christian worldview, was given a lunisolar (moon and sun) calendar by God. He dictated this calendar…its feasts and holidays; weekly rests and days of the week…to Moses. While Abraham is considered the father of all nations, as well as the founding member of the Jewish and Christian religions, it was Moses who experienced God face to face and who wrote down the Books of the Law (and the Hebrew calendar) as they were dictated directly to him. These books became the Hebrew religion, which then became the foundation of Christianity through Jesus Christ.
The world functioned on this ancient, Hebrew calendar until the Romans, namely Julius Caesar, came along and re-configured it for Gentile use in 708 A.D. Christianity, quickly becoming the world’s most-practiced religion then tweaked the Julian calendar under Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. It is believed this was done to make the Julian calendar more accurate. This Pope-authored calendar is still in use today and is called “The Gregorian.” Our Jewish brothers and sisters continue to follow their ancient, God-given calendar through their religious worship. While both calendars are current and important—as a believer in Christ, I keep my eye on God’s calendar first. He crafted it, and he honors it above all.
Palm Sunday, which is this Sunday, March 28, coincides with not one, but two, overlapping, significant items on the Jewish calendar. Both calendars reveal that our Palm Sunday occurs on Passover (Pesach); the high, holy-feast in celebration of the death angel “passing over” the Hebrew slave-dwellings on the night before their emancipation from Egypt. Passover 2021 also happens to fall on the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat), the holy day of worship and rest for Judeo people.
Why is this overlap of three holy days important? Many reasons: First, it’s a type of trifecta; three significant events which all point to God since they were all authored by him. The number three is used 467 times in the Bible. It is also used to emphasize and proclaim God’s presence or action (Think, “Holy, holy, holy!” as the angels proclaim, ongoing, in heaven.) Judeo-Christian faiths are rooted in three patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Three significant gifts were brought to Jesus at his birth (gold, frankincense and myrrh.) And of course, our triune God is made up of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When things happen in threes, look heavenward.
Passover begins at sundown this Saturday night, March 27. Sundown also launches the Jewish Shabbat; their holy Sabbath day of rest and worship. Then, at dawn on Sunday, March 28, Christians celebrate Christ’s kingly entry into Jerusalem on what we call “Palm Sunday.” It is my spiritual, gut-instinct that God is up to something and will make himself known, during or around these three significant events. We may see signs in the heavens, shakings in the earth; strange weather. You may dream spiritual dreams at night (Joel 2) or feel uneasy, elated or unusually quiet and worshipful. Pay attention. God will be speaking to the world.
Be vigilant to stay in prayer whenever possible. And if you are yet maintaining your Lenten fast, you will be particularly susceptible to hearing from God in some way (he always honors the fast.)
These are fascinating times indeed. God is speaking and moving upon the earth. During this opportune time of prayer, let us call his attention to our nation of the United States. We need God’s help right now.
Do you have a question or comment for Pastor Adrienne? Send your inquiries to: info@adriennewgreene.com or write to P.O. Box 214, Harrison, OH 45030. For more information and resources, please visit www.askpastoradrienne.com or the “Ask Pastor Adrienne” YouTube channel for sermons and insights.
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