This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday depending on your focus. It marks the entrance to Holy Week, and the last week of Lent. This is a time for us to spend some time reflecting on the story of Jesus' death and resurrection.
For most of us going to church, this is not the first time we have heard this story. We've probably heard it plenty of times and that may make it difficult to experience it.
The songs float past us. The words wash over us. The sermons repeat old phrases.
It might even feel a bit boring.
I had someone mention to me recently that they hadn't really learned anything new since becoming a part of the church. It was meant as a criticism, and to be honest it felt like one at first.
I started to think about this statement, though, and started to see it more as a compliment. The story of who Jesus is, and what he came to do has been told for almost 2000 years. If we were adding something new now, there would be real problems.
If we said something new now, it probably wouldn't be true.
Maybe that's why one of my favourite songs is "I love to tell the story."
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and his glory,
Of Jesus and his love.
Because I know 'tis true;
It satisfies my longings
As nothing else can do.
'twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and his love.
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest.
I sing the new, new song,
'twill be the old, old story
That I have loved so long.
'twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and his love.
May you hear the old, old, story this season and may it still speak deeply of Jesus and his love.