Passion Sunday, 2018

Palm Sunday, 2018| St. A’s

     It’s a lot, this narrative, this true story.  There isn’t much to say beyond what we’ve already heard.  We heard that it was a great day when Jesus entered Jerusalem. Lots of people were swept up in it.  You could join in the crowd and enjoy the excitement of this famous person, this rock star rabbi come to town.  There was sort of a party atmosphere. Maybe.   It seemed easy, and kind of thrilling---this Kingdom of God stuff.  Hosanna!

     A week later, there was another crowd among whom was probably some of the crowd that welcomed the rock star rabbi, not so happy now, but just as compelling.  With another easy response: crucify him!

     It’s not enough just to join a crowd and flow along with feelings of excitement or admiration or disappointment, anger or fear.

      On the other side of town, a Roman procession rode in on war horses, and chariots, armed to the teeth—as they did every Passover to keep their Jewish subjects properly subjected on the Passover--this historic feast of Jewish liberation from slavery. 

     The prophets of Israel often acted out symbolic actions to convey the message of God.  Jesus was such a prophet, and it is clear that his entry into Jerusalem was such an action.  In studied contrast to the annual Roman procession, Jesus rode into town on a donkey colt—the messianic king, entering the capital---not on a horse or a chariot, but on the humble conveyance of ordinary people—no one ever heard of a war-donkey or donkey drawn chariots.   In humility and peace, and with studied intention, he entered the city and confronted the powers, the Roman occupying army and the religious establishment that was allied with the Romans to maintain power for themselves. The crowds missed the Sign of the Kingdom of God in looking for a show.

     We are moving quickly toward the last things that happened, the final acts—right up to the Resurrection.   But the joy of that feast doesn’t come from the giddy spirit of a party, but in Jesus’ complete and fearless giving of his life, his entirely loving life, for his people, the poor, the humble, and all of those who didn’t belong---and for us.