Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 The stone…rejected.
Isaiah 50:4-9a I did not hide my face from insult…
Matthew 21:1-11 This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.
I.
Jerusalem’s ancient center city was teeming with pilgrims. Folks crowding in from all over Israel to observe Passover, a time for commemorating their ancestors’ deliverance from persecution. In this festive season, this respite from daily labor in fields and shops, and from raising families in difficult economic times, the people attended temple, held reunions. Some undoubtedly also indulged in good food and drink and partying.
With all that was going on, it is unlikely that many noticed the young rabbi’s East Gate entrance. Those who did must have laughed as he clownishly rode the small donkey, his toes nearly dragging the sandy path. Friends walked alongside shouting, Hosanna, praise him! This is the Messiah come to save us! Some waved branches in a gesture of honor, though casual obverses may have assumed it was only mock fun. Others rolled out the red carpet- so to speak- by stewing garments in his way. Altogether though, the Entry was a minor distraction in the Passover festivities.
Few took the Galilean rabbi seriously, except some religious leaders: The man can do miracles! He even brought Lazarus back to life! And they surely recalled Isaiah’s suffering servant (Is. 50:4-9) and the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9-
Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!
shout aloud, of daughter Jerusalem!
Lo, your king comes to you;
triumphant and riding on a donkey…
By mid-week, a few astute leaders had started to worry about how Jesus was drawing large crowds. And the parables he was telling, like the one about the wicked tenants (Mt 21:33-41), seemed directed squarely at them. And Matthew reports (21:46)-
they wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him
as a prophet.
Their fear was justified for the Pharisees knew that the Roman regional governor would not tolerate a Jewish uprising. Empires are all about control by force.
If fact, we might imagine a second parade that day. Perhaps in a different part of the city. The Roman governor on his huge white charger, armed soldiers marching on either side- Rome’s imperial power on full display; The occupier strutting his stuff, daring someone to challenge his word. This parade likely made the day’s headlines. The other, at best may have been a footnote on the religion page. People took notice of the grandness of the Roman parade. Everyone watched the thundering show of force. By comparison, Jesus’ parade was little more than street theater, a brief comical diversion on a hot afternoon.
II.
Two parades, each offering a kind of salvation to an oppressed people.
Rome’s Parade
Rome parades power and political victory. Just do what you are told and you will be taken care of by the Empire’s might and protection. Pax Romana is all that the world needs. What is best for Rome is best for us. Rome is the world’s answer to poverty and culture, sophistication and the good life. No worries, be happy! (fr.a pop song of the late 1980’s). The earth is ours’ and we rule! We will mine the resources, harvest the crops, control the flow of goods and services and cash; establish the values. Subjects- citizens- need only do as they are told and everyone will be secure.
Rome says- ‘Keep your religion to yourself and practice it only in the temple. After all, true religion is about personal salvation. Social justice has no place church or state for it upsets things, increases tension, challenges the status quo. True patriots do not question their government. Make very sure to avoid saying anything from the pulpit that might upset the ruler. For religion must serve the state’s interest. Doesn’t the Bible itself say (Titus 3:1) that we should obey our rulers for they are selected by God?
This parade perpetuates the isms, like racism, sexism, consumerism. The economics of empire urge subjects to spend their paltry refunds in the marketplaces to “strengthen the economy.” So lower and middle class debt increases, further enslaving the majority while a small minority of superheat gains increasing wealth and power.
Jesus’ Parade
Jesus’ parade presents the longed-for King, the Messiah, the one scripture promises will save the people from Rome’s oppression and the Temple’s repressive legalism. God’s incarnate love for the people; God’s change agent; the One who would lead the people to eternal, spiritual victory over evil. As Matthew puts it (vv. 4-5),
This took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the prophet, saying
“…Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey…
Jesus’ parade is often misunderstood as of no consequence. Humility and meekness usually are misread as weakness and irrelevance. God’s power through this Messiah is frequently viewed as ineffectual when, in reality it is just the opposite.
When one acknowledges God’s love for him or her, the resulting new person is charged to bring change to the lives of others. Just as the Suffering Servant died for human sin, so Christians are called not only to enjoy personal peace and purpose but to share it. And sharing includes recognizing the evil in governments and corporate systems, in cultures and causes, and addressing it with boldness.
Those in the Jesus’ parade promise to speak truth to power and bring the power of the Gospel to all people. Jesus’ people cannot allow injustice to stand unchallenged. Where human suffering exists, next door, down the block, in the pew or in the public square, those who wave palm branches are called to bring healing and wholeness. Walking by a suffering brother or sister is not an option. Avoiding addressing the hard truths of a nation’s history in order to keep folks calmed down is not an option.
Folks in the Jesus’ parade understand that Jesus’ realm is not of this world but Jesus’ concern for suffering people is; Jesus’ power extends into eternity but his peoples’ power must be employed in the hear and now. A crying, homeless child demands our immediate attention; our personal salvation is not the goal, but the bi-product of ministry on the streets.
III.
Palm Sunday, 2008 in America is about much more than waving palms and happy children. This Palm Sunday is about promises made by baptized, confirmed Christians committed to Jesus’ ways of peace and purpose and holy power. This Palm Sunday, we are called to be in the Jesus’ Parade thereby demonstrating our ultimate loyalty to God’s way of Love and Life for all people.
We in the United Church of Christ are part of the Jesus’ Parade, the young as well as the aging, all colors and races, from all places in this world. We are called to listen to the ‘Still Speaking God who calls us to be partners in laboring in this vineyard world to bring good fruit for generations yet unborn- fruits of justice and peace; clean air and water. We are called to address the coarsening of America with words of reason and respect. We are asked to be honest, sensitive, strong and loving representatives of the One who walked clear through Holy Week to a Cross...not just for us, but for all people.
Two parades, two ways, one life! Amen.