Water Carnival Parade

Last weekend I spent time with my sister and her family in Hutchinson, MN. After church on Sunday, we joined the masses gathering for the water carnival parade held that afternoon. As we drove through town looking for a spot to park and sit along the parade route, I was amazed to see chairs and blankets already on the curb. Residents of Hutchinson place their chairs and blankets out up to 48 hours before the parade to secure the best locations. I was stunned! I could hardly believe that people would trust the entire town to not move or take their chairs and that securing a prime location was that important.

As I drove back into the Twin Cities, my thoughts drifted to the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem. I wondered how people knew that he was coming. There certainly weren’t newspaper advertisements or TV commercials announcing his arrival. How many people were aware? How did news get passed along?

And then I wondered what would happen today if Jesus were to come to town. Would people place chairs and blankets along his expected route in hopes of being near him as he walked? Would there be any news coverage of the event? How many people would skeptically remain comfortably tucked inside their air conditioned homes instead of braving the humidity and mosquitoes? Where would I be? I further wondered, what am I doing to welcome Christ in my life today? How am I inviting him to be on the throne? There are certainly changes that I could make in my life! What about you?