Palm Sunday |
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Scripture |
Matthew 21:1-11 21 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives , Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” 4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, 5 “Tell the daughter of Zion , Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 10 When he entered Jerusalem , the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee .” |
Devotional |
Many churches this Sunday will have the children waving palm branches leading the possession on Palm Sunday. The first Psalm Sunday was very different. The people proceed Jesus laying their cloaks on the road while others cut branches and spread them on the road. This king came into town riding on a donkey. The crowd shouting; “Hosanna to the Son of David, Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven.” Not everyone knew this however because someone asked, “Who is this?” This is the prophet Jesus for Nazareth in Galilee . This statement must have confused some of the people because many thought that Galilee could not produce a prophet. Galilee has produced not only a prophet but a king. On the opposite side of the city, from the west, Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor entered Jerusalem at the head of a column of imperial cavalry and soldiers. Pilate’ proclaims the power of the empire. Pilate’s possession displayed not only imperial power, but also Roman imperial theology. The emperor was not simply the ruler of Rome but the Son of God. Augustus who ruled Rome from 31BCE. to 14CE. His father was the god Apollo, who conceived him in his mother, Atia. Inscriptions refer to him as “son of God,” “lord” and “savior,” one who has brought “peace on earth.” After his death, he was seen ascending into heaven to take his permanent place among the gods. 1 We have Jesus who comes representing the Kingdom of Heaven and Pilate who represents the Roman Empire . Some may disagree with Borg and Crossan but I think their questions are relevant. Two possessions entered Jerusalem on that day. The same question, the same alternative faces those who would be faithful to Jesus today. Which procession are we in? Which procession do we want to be in? This is the question of Palm Sunday and to the week that is about to unfold. 2 Jesus’ triumphant entry in to Jerusalem is an unmistakable political act. He has come to be acknowledged as king. He is the son of David, the one long expected, to free Jerusalem from foreign domination. Yet this king triumphs not through violent revolt, but by being for Israel the one able to show that its worship of God is its freedom. His entry into Jerusalem is, therefore rightly celebrated by those who are not in power. 3 As we prepare for Easter, we should not forget the two processions that entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. We are among the procession that was not in power but end with victory. Which possession do we wish to be in? 1 Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan, The Last Week. San Francisco : Harper SanFrancisco, 2006. P. 3 2 ibid. p. 30 3 Stanley Hauerwas, Matthew. Grand Rapids : Brazos Press, 2006. 182
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