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I Shall Wear A Crown–It’s Me, Lord!

A Reflection for Palm Sunday by Gillie D. Abdiraxman-Issa


Selected passage for reflection: Isaiah 46:10; Matthew 21:6-11 and Matthew 27:11-46


Read

Isaiah 46:!0

I make known the end from the beginning,

    from ancient times, what is still to come.

I say, ‘My purpose will stand,

    and I will do all that I please.’


Matthew 21:6-11

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[c]

“Hosanna[d] in the highest heaven!”

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Matthew 27:11-46 

Jesus before Pilate vs 27:11-14, 22-23

11 Now Jesus stood before [Pilate] the governor, and the governor asked Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” [In affirmation] Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” 12 But when the charges were brought against Him by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. 13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they are testifying against You?” 14 But Jesus did not reply to him, not even to a single accusation, so that the governor was greatly astonished.


22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all replied, “Let Him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why, what has He done that is evil?” But they continued shouting all the louder, “Let Him be crucified!”


Jesus Is Mocked vs 27:27-31

27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and they gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on Him [as a king’s robe]. 29 And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and put a reed in His right hand [as a scepter]. Kneeling before Him, they ridiculed Him, saying, “Hail (rejoice), King of the Jews!” 30 They spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him repeatedly on the head. 31 After they finished ridiculing Him, they stripped Him of the scarlet robe and put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.


The Crucifixion vs 35-37, 41-46

35 And when they had crucified Him, they divided His clothes among them by casting lots. 36 Then, sitting down there, they began to keep watch over Him [to guard against any rescue attempt]. 37 And above His head they put the accusation against Him which read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”


In the same way, the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, mocked Him, saying, 42 “He saved others [from death]; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him and acknowledge Him. 43 He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He delights in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 The robbers who had been crucified with Him also began to insult Him in the same way.


45 Now from the sixth hour (noon) there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.). 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud [agonized] voice, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 


 

Reflection

Being sure is a valley—lonely, heavy, isolating. Being human is a balance—holding emotions and perspectives in tension.


Imagine listening to the governor or judge of that time—like Pontius Pilate—question your identity, all the while knowing full well the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). 

That took what you and I would call patience or humility. I ponder if our Lord would call it self-control.


God shows us in Scripture how we are to be still and know. As I read the Gospels, I see Jesus teaching in parables. Yet, in Matthew 27:11, I hear Him simply affirming Pilate: “It is as you say.”

I understand Jesus’ silence before His accusers. Yet because He was human like us, I wonder if He was silently crying out to God:


-Don’t you see this? 

-Can you hear the voices, the ridicule, and the slander?  

-I am only doing what is good and lovely and honorable.  

-Why the persecution?

- Why have you forsaken me?  


Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter and the start of Holy Week for Christians, is a feast day commemorating Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem. We must remember, naturally, that when one is scheduled to die, their life and memories can play back like a tape. I can imagine how Jesus, even as a baby, already knew that He was going to conquer death, life, and the sins of the world.


As palms were laid at His feet along the path, in His last hours, people spat on Him, shouted for His death, hurled horrible accusations at Him, and He experienced excruciating pain and mockery. All because He loved us and came to defeat the sins of this world, death, and the devil. We, the humans of that time and even today, make a mockery of Him and all He endured for our good.


As we remember Palm Sunday, think about laying your sins at His feet with intention. Think about laying down evil thoughts and unforgiveness, too. Now, close your eyes and imagine yourself there, gazing at the image of Jesus that your consciousness agrees with.  


  • Is Jesus a baby—innocent, precious, with a warm, friendly smile that soothes your nervous system?  

  • Is Jesus a brother figure you can depend on, who protects you and hangs out with you?  

  • Is Jesus the face of a confidant and friend who knows every deep, dark secret, but would flip a table over if someone tried to harm your name?  


Even if you’re reading this and none of those visuals register, He came so you can have life and have it abundantly. He loves you, and He wants you to know that. Choose Him. Ask Him to come into your heart and make you new, so that when you think of Him again, you will feel His everlasting love and embrace.


Respond

On Palm Sunday, churches often distribute palm fronds to congregants, who may wave them during the service or bring them home as a symbol of peace and victory. But what if you don’t have one, or you’re at someone else’s home and there are no palms around? Whether you receive a palm, see one in the hands or homes of others, or are not physically able to obtain one, you can still participate. Take a piece of fabric, a cloth, or anything you can lift, and wave it in the air with power, strength, and belief. Then declare: “Jehovah Nissi—Lord, you are my banner. You are my symbol of spiritual and physical victory.”


Rest 

Lord, you conquered the grave.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever.

 You are my hiding place.

You are my deliverer whenever I’m afraid.

 You said in your word…Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

 I will trust in you. In Jesus name, Amen.


About the Author

 

 Gillie Abdiraxman-Issa is a trained Spiritual Director who walks alongside women through life transitions and mental health challenges, helping them listen for God’s voice and respond with courage and clarity. She also works with families to strengthen relationships and communication, tending to the places where love and language have gotten tangled. A Life and Business Advisor, Gillie draws on her spiritual direction training to help people move toward the lives they aspire to build. She will soon add Licensed Professional Counselor to her work after August of this year, deepening the clinical care she offers in sacred, everyday spaces. She enjoys traveling, laughing at comedy specials, taking nature walks, and cooking. She has been married to her hubby, T’Chaka, for 20 years, and they enjoy a full life with their four sons. Follow Gillie on Substack and on IG@gillieissa

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