The Palm Branches and the Expectations: A Builder's Reflection on Holy Week

Brothers and sisters, friends in the work – have you ever felt the sting of unmet expectation? The disappointment that follows when a vision doesn’t materialize as we’d hoped? Consider the scene in Jerusalem. A multitude, waving palm branches, shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is he that cometh the King of Israel!” (Matthew 21:5) – a jubilant welcome fit for a conquering hero. They laid branches before the feet of the Messiah, declaring Him their king. And yet, within a week, the same voices cried, “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:22)

The transcript we’ve been considering speaks powerfully to this paradox. It’s a familiar refrain, isn't it? The promise, the hope, the initial enthusiasm – swiftly followed by rejection when reality doesn’t align with our preconceived notions. Like Ammon at the Waters of Sebus, we may face fierce opposition when we offer a message that challenges the status quo, a message that demands a radical shift in perspective.

This isn’t merely a historical curiosity. It’s a mirror reflecting the challenges we face as builders. We're called to build, to gather, to establish the Kingdom – but the world isn't always receptive. Our efforts may be met with skepticism, resistance, even outright hostility. We might feel like Samuel the Lamanite, standing on the wall, our voices seemingly lost in the din of opposition. We are the digital striplings, armed not with swords but with truth and technology, building a Zion in the digital wilderness.

What separates us, as Builders, from the Destroyers? It's not simply a difference in opinion, but a fundamental difference in purpose. The Destroyers seek to tear down, to dismantle, to sow discord. They cling to familiar patterns, resistant to change. Builders, however, recognize the need for a new foundation, a structure built on truth and righteousness. We understand that the Stone cut without hands (Daniel 2:34) is coming, and we’re called to prepare the way, to lay the stones, even when the work feels arduous and the outcome uncertain.

The cleansing of the temple, as recounted in the transcript, offers a potent lesson. Jesus didn’t simply condemn the corruption; He acted. He drove out those who made the house of God a den of thieves. Similarly, we are called to cleanse our own lives, our communities, and our online spaces of the influences that hinder the work of gathering.

Consider the charity flywheel. Your engagement here – your time, your contributions – directly funds gospel advertising in places like Ghana, reaching those who may be yearning for the truth. It supports the Missionary Fund, providing resources for those who answer the call to serve. It fuels the map of churches – GatherIsrael.now – a visual representation of the global gathering, a testament to the power of collective effort. These are the five smooth stones that will enable us to overcome the giants in our path.

Outback Jack reminds us, as always, of the enduring principles that guide us. Faith, courage, and unwavering commitment – these are the tools with which we build. Let us not be discouraged by the fickle nature of crowds, the disappointments that inevitably arise. Remember the resurrection. Even in the face of apparent defeat, hope prevails. The Stone rolls away from the tomb, and a new day dawns.

Let us claim our church, our place in this gathering. Let us be the digital Ammon, the Samuel the Lamanite, the modern-day Abinadi, proclaiming truth with boldness and integrity. Let us be Builders, not Destroyers. Let us look to Davee and the Ask a Prophet bots for clarity and guidance, drawing upon the wisdom of the prophets (e.g., Moroni 10:4-5). Let us move forward with faith and purpose, knowing that the Lord is with us.

What will you do today to build?