Today’s reading: Romans 15:22-33; Psalm 119:105

“I am going to Jerusalem…”

Romans 15:25

Do you see any parallels between this day (Palm Sunday) and the words of St. Paul in our reading from Romans?  Two individuals found themselves “going to Jerusalem.”  Both of them were on a mission of mercy.   One knew for sure what lay ahead for Him; the other had his suspicions that bad things could happen.

It was Jesus who said in Matthew 20:18: “We are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death.”

St. Paul was going to Jerusalem to “bring aid to the saints” (v. 25). These material gifts from Greek (Gentile) Christians were one way of reciprocating for the fact that it was Jewish Christians who originated and supported Paul’s mission that brought the Gospel to them.

Jesus was going to Jerusalem to deliver a different kind of aid.  It was a spiritual aid that cost more than silver or gold, but the holy and precious blood of Christ. Neither Paul nor Jesus were dissuaded from their divine tasks by fear of what lay ahead of them. And thank God they didn’t.

We, too, are beneficiaries of this spiritual aid. It motived those Greek Christians to share their sacrificial gifts to benefit fellow believers.  We can reciprocate – to the best of our abilities and resources – by sharing God’s gifts of grace, “the fullness of the blessings of Christ” (v.29) – with those who don’t know them – yet.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for going to Jerusalem in my behalf to be my Savior. Help me share Your gifts of love and mercy with others who have yet to hear about You. 

Contributed by Rev. Paul Peckman