Bishop's Reflection for Holy Week
Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you;
triumphant and victorious is he,
humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
- Zechariah 9:9, NRSVUE
When the gospel writers tell the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, they interpret it as the coming of the long-awaited One who brings in God’s reign of peace.
We sometimes think of the Palm Sunday events as though all the pieces fell into place because Jesus magically made them happen, or as though people were texting each other to coordinate the path of the parade route. Word of Jesus’ teaching had been spreading and the crowds were growing. This was the promised One who proclaimed release to the captives, welcomed with mercy, and brought healing, wholeness, and life. With his visible reign, there would be no more aggression by the Roman empire, no more war horses, swords, bows, or arrows. No more fear. The messiah, the good king, was coming to bring peace at home and to all the nations. There was excitement, joy, and anticipation. Everything needed had been well prepared.
Across town, a vastly different parade was forming. The empire was mobilizing its forces, ready to crack down on the crowds of people streaming into Jerusalem for the holy days. There were rumors of a wannabe king who could upset the “peace” of Rome and rouse the people to rebellion. The empire was prepared with weapons of the day, authoritarian power and might, ruling with fear.
A collision course of opposing beliefs and assumptions was set up and ready to unfold. It did not end the way the crowds following Jesus imagined; they gave in to fear and turned on the Prince of Peace. The One who ruled by tending the poor, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and welcoming the stranger, was betrayed, denied, and crucified. The empire would be defeated eventually, but the story of Jesus would be told and retold and continue to change lives for these 2,000 years and far into the future.
How does this familiar story echo for you in 2026? What does it mean to follow Jesus who said, “Take up the cross and follow me”?
The world, it seems, has never wanted to live in the way of a Prince of Peace who comes in humility and mercy and self-giving love. Down through history and into this time, the loudest voices have equated Christianity with conquering others, excluding, and muscling the weak through domination. Today, this reality remains. Nations try to see who can cause the greatest destruction to their enemies and the results have global consequences. I remember daily the Palestinian Christians I had the privilege of meeting two years ago – our partners in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. There is no peace in the city Jesus entered on Palm Sunday. And our Lutheran missionaries and partners ask for our advocacy and our prayers.
Here in our state, life has been turned upside down. Too many struggle because of the economy; food and rent insecurity are growing. Some continue to hide away in fear. Many carry the trauma of the last few months. And yet, faithful people continue gathering for prayer, looking out for their neighbors, providing a listening ear, feeding people, advocating, showing up, and considering what the stories of this Holy Week mean for us today.
Helping us hear these Gospel stories are rostered ministers and lay ministers who are praying about how they will preach during the heaviest week of the year as they also provide care, support, and leadership for you in their congregations. They will lead us in our need for prayer, repentance, and forgiveness in a world that does not operate with the values of self-giving love and mercy. They will proclaim the good news of the One whose power is seen in humility, and who reigned from a cross.
As we enter this Holy Week, please hold your preachers in prayer as they proclaim the heart of the gospel: Jesus Christ crucified and risen. Pray for them and encourage them as the story of Palm Sunday continues to echo into the future. St. Paul was clear: How then will they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have never heard? And how can they hear if no one preaches to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As Scripture says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the Good News!” – Romans 10:14-15
As you continue the rhythm of gathering for worship and serving Jesus in your daily work this Holy Week, I pray that the story of Jesus who enters in humility and reigns from a cross, will dwell deeply in your heart and in your life.
+ grace, love, and peace
Bishop Dee Pederson