Palm Sunday reminds me, most of all, of the flipping coin of loyalty and disloyalty. We might do well to rename the day as Loyalty Sunday. The problem with that title is that it is a name associated with stewardship ventures, tithe and pledge campaigns. Maybe that's not so bad either, since those Sundays also reveal the flipping coin. Preachers are applauded by their loyal followers when they say we should love Jesus with something as nondescript as our lives, but it is quite another story if they say we should love Him with our wallets.
Contemporary disciples are very similar to our First Century counterparts.
We will flock to our churches in great numbers to join Christ in His parade, but less than a third of us can stand to even look at Him in His passion on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday. Even greater numbers will participate in His real triumph the following Sunday. Now, don't get me wrong, I love super celebrations of the parade and the power packed victory of the resurrection. For me, there is no better time to be in God's House to praise and thank Him and rejoice with each other. I do not hold with those who fault others for only showing up for major festivals.