March 24, 2013
WORLD - Palm Sunday
- Luke 19:28-40
This is a strange Sunday
first week of spring/snow storm predicted
Passion/Palms
parade/crucifixion
but it is what it is
A small band of scraggly men leave Bethany and push throw the crowds toward Jerusalem.
One rides a donkey, the others walk
following the same road trade caravans had followed for centuries.
Along the track traveled for generations by countless conquering armies
covering the path worn by sandals and hooves from around the known world.
They cross the Mount of Olives and then head down a path through the Garden of Gethsemane
and cross the brook Kidron and finally enter the city.
Millions of people filled the streets of Jerusalem that day.
They had returned from all over the Mediterranean Basin for the Passover Feast.
This was the World Series, the Super Bowl, and the Masters, and the indy 500 rolled into one.
They knew that Jesus was at Bethany and they had heard about what he could do.
There was talk he might proclaim himself Messiah.
Just last week he had raised Lazarus from the dead.
With Jesus in town, this was going to be a Passover to remember.
His disciples had borrowed a donkey for his ride into the city.
The crowds lining the street recognize the symbol of peace.
They place coats and branches in his path.
And the parade moves into full swing.
The people start - Shouting and dancing and waving - pretending.
"Blessed is the King!" who comes in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven... glory in the highest heaven!
Save us now, Praise God
Then some of the Pharisees began to get nervous
they yelled – stop they shouted at the disciples- be quiet
Before the week is over this same crowd will yell- crucify him
But we are not mere observers from the outside.
We are part of the story.
We stand among the crowds.
We stand with the Jews, and the Gentiles
We stand with the Romans and the foreign visitors
we stand with those shouting blessings and those yelling curses.
spring/snow
Passion/Palms
parade/crucifixion
Despair and hope
They travel the road to Jerusalem together.
They travel every road we take together as well.
The despair at the pain and suffering in our lives
and in the world around us.
And hope in him who travels the road with us and sometimes even for us.
We are part of the story.
We stand among the crowds.
Eventually the man on the colt rides off.
He rides through the noisy crowd.
The people shout- save us now.
he asks us- Can you wait with me?
We wave our palms and fall asleep.
We shout- save us now.
he asks - Can you share this cup with me?
We dance along the path looking for some new entertainment.
He stumbles to the place called the skull.
he asks - Can you weep at the foot of my cross?
We shout- Save yourself.
And we wander off slowly
quietly humming - save us now
as Jesus lay inside the tomb.