As we come to celebrate Palm
or Passion Sunday and begin the journey to Easter morn, it’s interesting to
note that Luke’s account of Jesus’ arrival at Jerusalem lacks mention of palm
branches. However, it does emphasise a detail we often forget on Palm Sunday: that
is the detail of threat. Luke reminds us how dangerous it is for Jesus to
approach Roman-occupied Jerusalem with royal language and imagery surrounding
him. We as Christians then enter Holy Week, being clearly aware of the conflict
at hand for Jesus and the disciples.
I find that this helps me
understand why, on Good Friday, Jesus will be executed as a political agitator,
someone whose words and deeds are judged as threats to the social systems that are
meant to uphold Roman values. I note that the journey to crucifixion is taken
in the full understanding that the human reaction to the challenge of the way
of life Jesus lived out and taught, is one of fear and desire to remove the
threat. Humans who couldn’t accept what Jesus was living out reacted negatively
and wanted to crucify Jesus. Yes, we humans tried to remove Jesus, but our God
is so loving. So loving, that on Easter morn humanity is given the loving gift
of resurrection and again given the possibility of a full relationship with God.
Note the references to
kingship in the Palm Sunday story: the unridden colt reflects the special,
exalted purpose of Jesus’ ride; the coats on the road resemble the day Jehu was
made king (2 Kgs 9: 13); and Jesus’ disciples add the word king to Psalm 118:
26. The Romans regularly squashed those
with kingly pretensions. No wonder this ritual occurs a mile or two from
Jerusalem, otherwise Jesus might not have made it to Passover. No wonder the
savvy Pharisees tell Jesus to silence his followers, lest the disciples’ rash
talk get everyone on the road killed.
But Jesus says it’s too late
for worries about safety. The time has come for him to be declared “the king of
the Jews,” even though no one knows at this point that a Roman cross will
announce the message God is giving through Jesus. Something inevitable is
under-way; even lifeless stones on the hillside should sense that the
revelation of the king is near. The city of Jerusalem, represented by its
leaders, remains unaware, however.
Misunderstanding about Jesus
recurs throughout Luke’s story of Jesus’ “gracious visit” to Jerusalem. At this
moment, however, we clearly glimpse his true identity. If we’re honest about
our own self-protective efforts to resist God, that identity that Jesus presents to
us remains threatening still.
And a final thought as the
scene is set. Hosanna! Crowds of traveling pilgrims shout. Most don’t even know
his name. He’s touched a dream they share, of a different time. Some want a
Pilate with different politics. Some want a new Elijah, or a new Solomon. Some
are looking to other leaders as we do today. People are sought out, like a
Trump or on the other hand someone like a Ghandi. Some don’t know what they want.
And nor do we.
“I came,” Jesus said in the
beginning, “to bring good news to the poor, release to prisoners and recovery
of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to
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