I cannot tell, why he whom angels worship should set his love upon the sons of men, 
Or why as shepherd he should seek the wanderers, to bring them back, they know not how nor when.
But this I know, that he was born of Mary when Bethlehems' manger was his only home, and that he lived at Nazareth and laboured; 
And so the Saviour, Saviour of the world has come.

I cannot tell, how silently he suffered as with his peace he graced this place of tears,
Nor how his heart upon the cross was broken, the crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, he heals the broken-hearted and stays our sin and calms our lurking fear, and lifts the burden from the heavy laden;
For still the Saviour, Saviour of the world is here.
(W.Y. Fullerton, 1857-1932)

How we struggle to live with mystery, with the impenetrable and apparently irreconcilable truths which lie at the heart of God’s revelation of His character, purposes and presence with his people in their brokenness and pain. I continue to find this difficult, and expect that no matter how long I am granted to live before I go home to glory, I will always wrestle with it. And is that not fitting, and right?! What kind of God would we have if we could fathom his nature and make sense of all his doings? No God at all, and certainly not the one we so desperately need!

I have come to terms with the fact that I will always be baffled, and left to wonder at all that is so utterly beyond me – and sometimes, I can join with the psalmist and be at peace with that unknowing. At other times, it grates, and I have to learn all over again that I am limited, created and as yet unfinished – and only God who is good and just and perfectly loving can make sense of all that happens.

And so, as I remember the events of Palm Sunday, and the coming of Messiah to Jerusalem, lowly and riding on a donkey while crowds cheered to welcome him, acclaiming a coming king, I take comfort from the fact that Jesus’ own followers were completely confused about what was happening, and why Jesus was behaving as he did! Human imagination is limited and we readily ascribe to the actions of others a meaning which suits our world view and desires – the crowds (and some disciples) were looking for deliverance from Roman rule, for a military leader, and although Jesus had consistently stepped away from any such role, yet they couldn’t see past it.

As the week unfolded, Jesus would continue to confound expectations, and many would be disappointed in his failure to fit their mould of what Messiah would be like. As a result, by the Friday morning, they were ready – in their resentment at his behaviour and the pain of dashed hopes – to call for his death at the instigation of the priests. This was none of Jesus’ doing, it all arose from their blindness to the much bigger picture of what Messiah would be and do, of God’s purpose to bring salvation to all humankind through this one perfect sacrifice, defeating the power of evil and inaugurating the heavenly kingdom among us. I must not judge those crowds for their narrow vision – I would very probably have fallen into the same trap, and indeed, the scripture clearly states that in our rebellion against God, we have all rejected the Messiah and brought about his death for our sakes. It was for me, for you that Jesus embarked upon this path of suffering and death.

Almighty God, and everlasting Father, I confess before you today that the mystery of Jesus’ suffering and death – your plan for salvation – is great, and I cannot comprehend it. I confess that sometimes I am ashamed at my limited understanding, and even afraid to share the gospel in case others mock me for making a connection between Jesus’ death over 2000 years ago, and our lives today. Forgive me Lord, and let me be bold to say what I DO know, and what you have mercifully made real in my life because of faith in Jesus. 

For this I know, You have healed my broken heart and given me joy; You have made me whole and delivered me from the power of shame; Your voice of love and your arms of tender care have never failed me; Your presence is my life and my hope is in you alone.

Let me then rejoice in the mystery of salvation, and throw myself unhesitatingly into the security of your loving purpose. There is no need to understand, only the glorious reality of living in what was achieved by my Saviour, good news to be shared with all who will hear it! 

All glory, praise and honour to Jesus Christ, my Lord, Amen!