Flowery (Palm) Sunday: The Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem
Philippians 4:4-9; John 12:1-18.
Read Philippians 4:4-9
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
How do you feel when someone negates your feelings? You’re telling them how you feel, and they tell you not to feel like that. They might mean well. They might be trying to cheer you up. But never in the history of feeling has anyone ever stopped feeling by being told to.
Today’s reading is not doing that when the Apostle Paul says, “Have no anxiety about anything.” The feelings of both Paul and his readers are very much in play in this letter. There is a lively emotional life between Paul and the Philippian Christians (2:1-2). Even though the apostle encourages the church to share with him in suffering for the sake of Christ (1:29-30), he is not above benefitting from their kind encouragement himself (4:10-14).
But Paul commends Timothy for being “genuinely anxious” for the welfare of the Philippians while telling them to “have no anxiety about anything”. Timothy has a deep and genuine concern for others. That is a virtue of character. Paul is guiding the Philippians away from living in an ongoing state of anxiety regarding circumstances – big difference.
An ongoing habit of thanksgiving and prayer builds a peaceful ability to transcend circumstances. With our feelings and thoughts protected so, their daily activity is directed to what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, excellent, and praiseworthy for ongoing spiritual health and wellbeing.
And Paul, directing us to emulate his example in these things, does not have dry eyes himself. He was near “sorrow upon sorrow” when his companion in ministry, Epaphroditus, was near death. Yet he begins this letter, just like he instructs us, with thanksgiving to God in prayer with joy. “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.”