Holy Week and Trees

40 essays in around 100 words #29

So listen. Apparently everything in the Bible revolves around trees and mountains. If you don’t believe me, go check out the Bible Project. More specifically, the Bible begins and ends with a tree in the middle of the garden–the tree of life. Now of course all the bad stuff in the world comes from people choosing to try and become like god instead of simply choosing life. Over and over again in Scripture, people have these choices between two different trees–two different places to put their allegiance/worship. These themes are even valuable for Holy Week.

If

Not A Lot Going On

40 Essays in around 100 words #28

Imagine the scene: on the way to Jerusalem all these people are gathered around Jesus, perhaps hoping that He will be the One, the Messiah, to set them free from their oppression and restore the glory of the temple. When he arrives it’s already night. After all that fanfare, there’s nobody to receive Him. He has a look around and goes back to Bethany for a game of Settlers of Catan. It was gonna be a big week for Him. Best to rest up.

I imagine Peter would have lots of brick and wood and would only trade it at top price: "I'll take 2 oar for a brick"

The "Triumphal" Entry

40 Essays in around 100 words #27

Holy Week begins today as we celebrate Palm Sunday and Jesus’ “triumphal” entry into Jerusalem. The Roman military often displayed their powers through military parades–likely around the time of Passover, when all the Jews were celebrating freedom from oppression, Rome wanted to remind them just how powerful their oppressors were. I imagine them riding in like Prince Ali in Aladdin. Meanwhile, Jesus rode in on a small donkey by himself. People shouted “hosanna,” or “save us” and laid down their clothes and palm branches for a sort of poor man’s red carpet. It must have looked pathetic to the Romans.

The noble steed of the Messiah?