Reflections for Holy Week: Worthy of Worship

This reflection was originally published in the spring 2020 issue of STILLPOINT magazine: “Generation Gordon.”

By Emily Marcotte ’23  John 12:12–19 | Philippians 3:8–10  Growing up in your typical Sunday school classroom, I loved Palm Sunday. We always got our own palms and acted out the story in John 12:12–19, our small faces filled with joy as we shouted “Hosanna! Hosanna!” and shook the green leaves. It, of course, came as a shock to me to find out that the same people who were declaring Jesus as King were ready to turn on him five days later. And yet, can’t we all relate? The Jewish people thought Jesus came to be a literal king and save them from their oppressors, but Jesus had something different in mind. When he did not go along with their plan of crowning him king, how quick they were to shout, “Crucify him!” How often do we say Jesus is King, but quickly follow that with a list of “Terms and Conditions”? If he does not follow our stipulations, we turn to whatever else serves our selfish ambition. And these lesser things look so much more appealing than a crucified Savior! Paul urges us that Christ is of surpassing worth—far above the things that whisper for our attention and our worship every day. This week let us see Jesus as he is, without reducing him to something he is not. Once we see him in his glory, we can confidently say that he is of more worth than anything! When we crown him King without any conditions, we experience the greatest gift of all, the gift that is of supreme worth and surpasses all our lesser loves.