It’s Palm Sunday, and on Palm Sunday Jesus was a huge hit with the crowds. Compare his popularity on that day with that of other prominent leaders, and Jesus wins hands down.

On the original Palm Sunday there was no doubt about where Jesus was “trending” (a contemporary term for growing social media popularity), at least among his followers. Coming up to Jerusalem from Jericho, Jesus and his disciples would have likely fallen in with hundreds of other pilgrims, increasing the population of the Holy City from about 40,000 to more than 200,000 for the celebration of Passover. It is significant and critical to remember that Passover was a time of celebration, but it was also a time of high tension in Jerusalem.

Last week I read a captivating article in the journal “Homiletics” about famous “exit lines.”

Asking what is the best “exit line” in recent history (the last 50 to 75 years), the article mentioned Richard M. Nixon's "You won't have me to kick around anymore" comment.

Although Nixon -- and much of America -- thought it was Nixon’s exit line, it was not. In a remarkable comeback, Nixon returned to politics and in 1968 was elected president.

It is more wonderful than usual to see each other’s face in worship this morning. Last Wednesday afternoon, as the sunshine warmed my heart and shoulders, I remarked that winter might be ending without another major storm. The January 4th Nor-Easter had been tough and frightening, but it was behind us all now, and it was a relief to think we might be past anything close to it.

When I first heard the news of another approaching storm again last week I thought little of it. I have learned that winter storms are common here this time of the year, and what could top the January storm?