As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 

Luke 9:51

March has got to be one of my favorite months. Here in North Carolina, especially, the spring is a magical time of rebirth, offering this constant invitation to get outside and to engage with the promise of new life.

Also, when we observe the season of Lent (the 40 days of reflection and self-examination leading up to Easter) this time of the year becomes even more meaningful.

So let’s shift our focus, and make the decision to turn both our eyes and our intention toward Jerusalem. Let’s look around for some palm branches to wave. And let’s follow the way of Jesus as this week progresses toward the joyful celebration of Palm Sunday.

Take the initiative

One of the key points I make in my book Reaching Toward Easter is that when we take the initiative to prepare ourselves ahead of time, then we are more likely to experience what is so powerful and transformational about Holy Week (Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday).

As Jesus set his heart and his intention toward Jerusalem, knowing what was in store for him there, it is not too late for us to join him on the journey. And what waits for us is more than Palm Sunday’s triumphal entry, it is Christ’s Passion – the story that makes our story of promise and redemption not only possible but guaranteed.

Take a moment to meditate on these photos from the weekend as we consider how best to approach these final two weeks of Lent.

– DEREK