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Palm Sunday Sermon - Two Processions

PALM SUNDAY SERMON ~ TWO PROCESSIONS

PALM SUNDAY

TEXT: MATTHEW 21:1-11

 

TWO PROCESSIONS INTO JERUSALEM
There were two processions into Jerusalem that week. Passover festivals were always a problem for the Roman occupiers of this outpost of the empire. Devout Jews from all over the Middle East traveled to the temple there-up to 2 1/2 million pilgrims came to their holiest site. Emotions ran high. Memories of the glory days were rekindled. Remember long ago; we were and independent Jewish nation ruled by Godly kings. Remember the splendor of our temple. Remember when we were not poor and under the thumb of these pagan Romans. These were the stories they told each other on the road and in the sacred liturgies of the temple. These were dangerous stories. A threat to the Pax Romana-the peace of Rome. Already there was a significant underground insurrection. These Jewish guerillas would mount surprise attacks on Roman garrisons. They would sneak up behind a centurion and stick a dagger between his ribs. They would try to rally the people to rebel. Yes, it was a dangerous story-this tale they had of a Jewish nation ruled by a God who was not Caesar. When Passover came around, the Roman legions were on high alert.
THE ROMAN LEGIONS
There were two processions into Jerusalem that week. One came in the west gate, trumpets blaring and banners flying. On top of a huge stake, the Roman eagle made its claim with golden wings spread. Behind the heralds came the huge war-horses, snorting and pawing the air, barely held in check by the armored soldiers sitting high in their saddles, carrying a long javelin in one hand. Behind them came legions of foot soldiers tromping in perfect unison, sabers clanking, their laced boots kicking up the dust of the Jerusalem roads. Crowds, attracted to this spectacle, ran along side taking up the chant that all good Roman citizens were expected to repeat when they were in the presence of the emperor's men. "Hail Caesar! Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one the comes in the name of the Lord. Hail to the mighty savior of the world. Hail, Caesar, son of God!"

JESUS ON A DONKEY
There were two processions into Jerusalem that week. Another came in at the east gate. A small contingent of ragtag peasants ran alongside a little parade of men and women following a young man riding a donkey, his feet nearly dragging the ground. They ripped low-hanging branches off the palm trees and waved them like fancy Roman banners, they threw their coats on the ground ahead of the donkey making a kind of red carpet for him to walk on.
Here was a grass-roots demonstration of simple people cheering for the prophet, Jesus, whom they had come to love and honor. Cheering for this man who raised them from being no more than the dust under the Roman horses hooves, raised them to the highest status-beloved of God.

They too took up a chant, "Hosanna to the son of the most high! Hosanna in highest heaven! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

THE ALTERNATIVE EMPIRE
Simple people? Maybe, but maybe savvy enough to know what this procession meant. Orchestrated by Jesus and his followers, this alternative procession was in direct conflict with the Roman show of force. A mighty warrior king, riding at the head of a crowd to lead them into battle against an enemy, would have chosen a fine horse as his mount. But a donkey? Here is King Jesus, riding toward his enemies on a donkey making the statement, "I come in peace." Not a white flag, but "Come, let us reason together." Here is a ruler who says, "My kingdom is not of this earth." And yet he taught that it begins here, taking root like a mustard seed and spreading and spreading and finally taking over.

Do the crowd understand this? Or do they expect that Jesus will be the military hero and liberate them from the yoke of Rome? Does Rome fear this small town hero? Do they worry about his alternative kingdom?

At this point, we do not know. We only know that what they are shouting is the seditious truth. This is the Son of God. Not Caesar. Love is the principle that sustains the peace of the world, not force. Every Palm Sunday we join that crowd, greeting Jesus as the son of God. And today again, we re-enact this story and proclaim the message of the kingdom of God: Love is the principle that sustains the peace of the world, not force. It has not caught on. Maybe we need to try again.

THE END
The hymn we just sang tells the whole story. Palm Sunday was the beginning of the end. We are entering the saddest week in the church year. Was it the procession? Was it overturning the tables in the temple? Was it Jesus concern for justice and compassion in a world that cared little for these things? Jesus passed the crosses on the road to Jerusalem. They promised a horrible death to any who threaded the power structure. He was aware of the risks. Did he know that at the end of the week, he would be hanging on one of them? This happy day is ominous too. The cross is visible in the distance.

Ride on, ride on, in lowly pomp, ride on to die. Let us accompany Christ on his journey this week. Amen