A Mock Parade

Where does the solution to all our problems really come from? Does it come from here on earth? What does God have to do with national and personal deliverance from all our problems? Purpose: Let’s understand the political implications of Palm Sunday. Plan: Let’s look at Mark 11:1-11 and the only place to find true salvation.

Jesus’ Mock Parade

Imagine for a minute a grand parade. It might be one of those that celebrates military might with tanks and rockets. It might have brass bands, flags waving and marchers goose-stepping in rhythm, with a dictator either clapping from a grandstand or even at the head of the parade. Then imagine some time later a mock parade with a popular religious leader riding a donkey, and instead of flags, people waving palm branches. That’s what Palm Sunday is all about. It mocks and challenges this world’s pride and arrogance. We often think of Jesus riding a donkey as religious not political, but we forget the implications for Caesar, Pilate and Herod.

Mark 11:1-8 Politics

Mark 11:1-8 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; 2 and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.” 4 So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. 5 But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?” 6 And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 8 And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.”

Jesus was preparing a mock political parade. It is not the church’s job to tell us which side of politics to vote for. But, the Church does have a job in politics as prophet to all sides of power and sometimes prophets mock governments which puff themselves up and pretend to have the answers. Human efforts always fail. Behind the scenes is a hidden, spiritual kingdom with humanity’s only hope, true salvation.

Mark 11:9 Hosanna

Mark 11:9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ (cp. Psalm 118:26).

What is the meaning of hosanna? It’s a combination of two Hebrew words, yasha meaning “help” or “save,” a root of Jesus’ name, and na meaning “please” or “we pray” and the combination into the Hebrew expression Hoshia-na is both a plea and a praise. It is also a cheer. Unlike most world leaders who ride in expensive carriages and limousines, leaders of Israel were to ride a donkey symbolizing the humility that God expects of His leaders, much like the current pope who rides in a compact car.

Mark 11:10-11 In the Highest

In Mark 11:10-11 “Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.”

When Jesus rode into town on a colt, why did the crowds shout “Hosanna in the highest?” If hosanna means save us please or save we pray. Then, what does hosanna “in the highest” mean? It means in the highest regions, a superlative found often in Greek poetry meaning heaven, God. We look to the world to solve our problems. The whole world is run by very intelligent, highly educated people who are unable to solve our greatest world problems. Our problems are spiritual in nature and the solutions to our problems are spiritual. Christians call that solution salvation, which only comes from the highest of all, heaven.

A Better Kingdom

Bible Commentator Charles Campbell’s take on this passage is that it is “one of the wildest and most politically explosive acts of Jesus' ministry. The story is a reminder of the political challenge of Jesus' ministry, as well as the political character of Christian praise. The event should not be limited to an opening processional in which people smile at cute children waving palm branches.” [1] Jesus fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. Passover (our Easter) was a time when Israel remembered being freed from slavery in Egypt. Then along came Caesar as the new Pharaoh. Jesus’ entry mocks the failed leadership of this world and promises a new kingdom.