Palm Sunday – 20 March 2016 – Year C
Prelude Reading – Luke 19: 28 – 40
The Triumphal Entry (The people of Jerusalem celebrate Jesus’ entry)
28 And when he had said these things, he went on
ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at
the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into
the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on
which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you,
‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were
sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were
untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The
Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their
cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks
on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down
the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and
praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is
the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the
highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to
him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent,
the very stones would cry out.”
Grace to you and peace from our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. Amen
The text for this meditation is written in the
Gospel according top St Luke – St Luke’s account of Jesus’ Triumphant entry
into Jerusalem 19: 28 – 40 and the Passion of Christ – Chapter 22: Verse 14 to
Chapter 23: Verse 56.
And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the
apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this
Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is
fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given
thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that
from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God
comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave
it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in
remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This
cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But behold, the
hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of
Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is
betrayed!” And they began to question one another, which of them it
could be who was going to do this.
A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them
was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the
Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are
called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you
become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the
greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who
reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
“You are those who have stayed with me in my trials,
and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat
and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve
tribes of Israel.
Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you,[d] that he might sift you like wheat, but I have
prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again,
strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you
both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will
not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”
Scripture Must Be Fulfilled in Jesus
And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no
moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”
He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise
a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I
tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with
the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they
said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the
Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place,
he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew
from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if
you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours,
be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven,
strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly;
and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And
when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for
sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray
that you may not enter into temptation.”
While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and
the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to
Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray
the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around him saw
what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And
one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But
Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. Then
Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had
come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and
clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not
lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
Peter Denies Jesus
Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him
into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when
they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together,
Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the
light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he
denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else
saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And
after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly
this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I
do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still
speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at
Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him,
“Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And
he went out and wept bitterly.
Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were
mocking him as they beat him. They also blindfolded him and kept asking him,
“Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” And they said many other things against
him, blaspheming him.
Jesus Before the Council
When day came, the assembly of the elders of the
people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away
to their council, and they said, “If you are the Christ, tell us.”
But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you,
you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man shall be
seated at the right hand of the power of God.” So they all said,
“Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” Then
they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from
his own lips.”
Then the whole company of them arose and brought him
before Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this
man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and
saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” And Pilate asked him,
“Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” Then
Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.”
But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching
throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”
Jesus Before Herod
When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a
Galilean. And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's
jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that
time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see
him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by
him. So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. The
chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. And Herod with
his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in
splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became
friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity
with each other.
Pilate then called together the chief priests and the
rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man
as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you,
behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither
did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been
done by him. I will therefore punish and release him.”
Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
But they all cried out together, “Away with this man,
and release to us Barabbas”— a man who had been thrown into prison
for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. Pilate
addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept
shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them,
“Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I
will therefore punish and release him.” But they were urgent,
demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices
prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He
released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder,
for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.
And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of
Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry
it behind Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of the
people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. But
turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but
weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are
coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never
bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will begin to
say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For
if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is
dry?”
Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be
put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is
called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right
and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not
what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood
by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him
save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also
mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If
you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an
inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,
saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the
other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same
sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are
receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And
he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And
he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness
over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed. And the
curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud
voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this
he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he
praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that
had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned
home beating their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the women
who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.
Jesus Is Buried
Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town
of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who
had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the
kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then
he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in
stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. It was the day of
Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. The women who had come
with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then
they returned and prepared spices and ointments.
On the Sabbath they rested according to the
commandment.
In many Christian communities, Palm Sunday worship begins
with a procession around the church grounds and perhaps the neighbourhood as
well, with worshippers bearing palm founds and where available “Jesus on a
donkey” leading the way – This is a great way to imitate Jesus’ entry in
Jerusalem and also to give witness to our faith this Sunday before Easter. The
event may even get coverage on the evening news or in the local paper. Generally
speaking though, even though the participants involved in these processions are
openly sincere, the fact is that processions, pageantry, and palm waving are largely
undemanding gestures, and there is no probability of long-term commitment
involved in such street theatre. Just ask the people of Jerusalem.
Palm Sunday is all about involvement and commitment – and the difference between the two.
Those who followed Jesus on the final leg of his journey into Jerusalem singing
his praises were surely involved and caught up in the excitement of the moment.
They were clearly aware of Jesus and his ministry. They no doubt liked him and
the Gospel message of peace and reconciliation. They probably thought to
themselves that here at last was a great prophet – one whom God had raised up –
and one with a bright future in the faith-based power politics of the day; and,
to prove their interest and involvement, they championed Jesus with their
presence and their voices this special day.
According to the Gospel of Luke one of them even provided
Jesus with a colt to ride on as he came down into the Holy City “from the Mount
of Olives.” Echoing the words of the heavenly host at Jesus’ birth, they all
proclaimed, “Glory in the highest heaven,” and spread their cloaks before him.
They were involved.
Yet, like all of us here today they likely also had their
responsibilities and preoccupations. What might have been a fun outing one day,
welcoming the latest prophet into town led quickly enough to the duties and tasks
of the next day and beyond. After all, there were mouths to feed and bills to
pay. There was work to be done. By the time Good Friday had rolled around, no
one was left to lay down branches or cloaks for Jesus, much less chant hosanna
before him. All, including his disciples, had abandoned him. Jesus was on his
own. Friends even our own joyous hosannas expressed this day are themselves
soon enough muffled by the flat and sober reading of the Passion narrative of
Luke and the story of Jesus betrayal and death. “Blessed is the king who comes
in the name of the Lord,” turns with a jolt to, “Crucify him, crucify him.” It
is easy, even rewarding, to be involved each day, and especially on Palm Sunday.
Commitment unfortunately is still something else entirely. Just ask Jesus.
From some of the earliest stories of Genesis to the later
writings of the prophets, God on the other hand is always found to be firmly
committed to God’s people, Israel. In the Old Testament Scriptures for
instance, the Prophet Isaiah proclaims, “It is the Lord God who helps me.
“Isaiah knows instinctively that God is always more ready to show mercy and
lend assistance than we are to accept it. No matter the faults of the people –
no matter how much they become side-tracked and preoccupied with mundane or
even trivial concerns – the Lord’s Covenant, God’s commitment, remains
unwavering. Also, when the Psalmist laments, “I am in trouble,” and “forgotten
like a dead man,” they can still console themself by turning to the Creator.
“You are my God,” they declare without hesitation. “My times are in your hand.”
Indeed, as we ourselves know, it is mostly when we are weak and feel the most
forsaken and abandoned that the Lord is closest of all. The emptiness of our
hearts at such moments makes room finally for the presence of the One who will
tolerate no competition from our many diversions and distractions.
So, Palm Sunday takes us on a liturgical and emotional
roller-coaster ride like no other day of the church year. The involvement of
the crowds at Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem challenges us once again to
reflect on the commitment that led Jesus to give his life for our redemption.
Amid the many “changes and chances of this mortal life” during this or any week,
we dare not forget the Cross.
It would be easy enough for any of us to come to church on
Palm Sunday, to “let sweet hosannas ring,” to gather a palm frond or two, then head
home, and not return until Easter Day. We could be tempted to think “What a fine religion we have!”: Palm
branches and hosannas one Sunday, Hot Cross Buns and alleluias the next.
Friends in Christ, if we do not focus on the Passion Gospel
and the story of Jesus’ death we will miss the crucial means of our eternal salvation!
We will not understand or even appreciate the commitment and covenant that the
whole story is about. We will miss the selfless sacrifice of Good Friday.
Jesus enters the Holy City of Jerusalem on a colt provided
for the purpose by a stranger. Like the throngs surrounding him that happy day,
perhaps he too was caught up and engaged in the moment and the spectacle. But
days later, as we know only too well, he leaves the City for the last time not
on a colt, but on foot and carrying a cross, willingly committed to the
enormous task of winning our redemption one painful step at a time.
No matter where our life journey and its twists and turns
may take us, as followers of Christ our journey of faith leads most assuredly
through Jerusalem and on to Calvary with our Lord. Like good pilgrims the world
over and like Jesus himself, we too must walk the way of the cross. We die with
Jesus and in glorious victory we will rise with him to eternal life and
forgiveness. There is no other route home. For, only at the cross does our Lord
at last turn our feeble involvement into the commitment and Covenant of Calvary
and the assurance of our salvation. Amen
The love and grace of our Great Triune God that is beyond
all human understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen
