Scripture: Mark 11
Mark 11 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” 4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna![a]” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]
10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
INTRO:
Good morning! What a joy it is to be with all of you this Palm Sunday Morning. I am so glad all of you are here this morning!
This morning I would like for us to look at Jesus' Parade into Jerusalem. All four Gospels share what we call the Triumphal Entry. And all over the world today services begin with people waving Palm Branches and singing songs of Praise as they walk into service.
What we may not be aware of however, is that day over 2,000 years ago there were two parades going on. The one we know the most about it Jesus' planned parade. And it was a planned parade. Jesus orchestrated the whole event, even down to the point where there would be a donkey and its colt to ride. This was not some kind of spontaneous event that took place. Jesus set to make it happen. It is important for us to realize this fact.
And while Jesus was setting up this parade coming in to Jerusalem from the East there was another important parade taking place in the West. And while Jesus' parade is a once in a life time parade this was one that was done every year right according to schedule.
The Gospels chose not to record this parade. Perhaps it was because it was one of the least popular parades for a 1st century Jew. Every year right along with the celebration of Passover the Romans made it a priority that they would also have a parade.
Passover was that time of the year that Jews celebrated their liberation by God from slavery in Egypt along with their freedom as a nation under the leadership of Moses. The book of Exodus is dedicated to sharing this event which took place around 1400 - 1300 BC. Each Passover celebration there was a heightened and renewed spirit of freedom. Each Passover thousands looked forward to the time when they would again be a freed people.
To counter such thoughts, Rome would in the middle of Passover have its own parade. Whoever happened to be the Roman governor of Judea at the time would ride up to Jerusalem from the west - and in this particular case it was Pontius Pilate (AD 26-36).
Jerusalem's population swelled to 4 times its normal size during Passover. At the time of Jesus the normal population would have been around 50,000 people. Therefore, at Passover it normally grew to approx. 200,000 or more. One can imagine all the crowding and all the added noise and congestion. Families getting together again, people seeing each other for the first time in years - everyone getting ready to have a great time celebrating Passover.
And in the middle of all this celebration, Pontius Pilate representing Imperial Rome would interrupt with their own parade. Rome could care less about some ancient Jewish celebration. The Jews could rejoice in retelling the stories of Moses and the Exodus. That was ancient history. What they did care about was that the Jews needed to remember that today there were under the iron rule of Rome.
So, coming out the west marching towards the city would come the prefect of the Roman province of Judaea Pontius Pilate - fully clad in his imperial dress. He would be surrounded by chariots, cavalry on horseback and foot soldiers fully clothed and armed. They would have their swords at their side and their spears clutched in their hands. In the front would be Rome's golden eagles mounted on poles shining brightly in the sun for all to see and fear. There would be the sound of the chariots, the clinking of bridles and the constant cadence of the drums.
Looking towards the west, you would have been able to see the dust swirling announcing their arrival and demanding that everyone clear the streets. There would be banners proclaiming the power of Rome and chants coming from the soldiers sounding off the power and majesty of Rome. It was to be a parade of authority and awe, announcing to everyone who was in charge, who was supreme.
They would not be in a hurry. After all they were there for a purpose. It was to remind all 200,000 that had gathered that Rome was in command. And so, they always picked the opportune time when there would be the most people would be out in the streets. They would have to scurry off to the side giving room as Mighty Rome came marching through the street.
It was a propaganda parade. All to remind everyone that Imperial Rome is right here ready, willing and able to put down any and all thoughts of rebellion. Ready to destroy anyone who thinks that Rome would go the way of Egypt.
So, while Pilate and his army rode in from the West in all its pomp and circumstance, Jesus and his ragtag little crowd came riding in from the east.
If you could have seen the two parades it would have been enlightening and a little humorous.
Here was Pilate - fully clothed in imperial garb riding a majestic horse
There was Jesus wearing the robes of a rabbi, sitting on a nursing donkey with its colt walking alongside.
Here was Pilate surrounded by chariots, horses and well armed soldiers.
There was Jesus surrounded by common folks carrying only palm branches and other tree limbs.
Here was Pilate with his Roman flags and Roman eagles mounted on poles being lifted up reminding everyone of the power and might of Rome
There was Jesus riding over the cloaks of those who joined his parade.
Here was Pilate, the air filled with the beat of the drums, the swirling dust - all done to intimidate - to warm - to boast - to proclaim the power of the military - to proclaim the invincibility of Rome. It was a parade to instill fear - to cause the Jews to buckle under Roman rule. It was an object lesson of who exactly was in charge of their land and their lives - it was Caesar and Rome.
There was Jesus surrounded by singing. Voices were being raised proclaiming Jesus to be the Son of David. Proclaiming a new king and a new kingdom. A kingdom built not on swords, on spears or shields but a kingdom but on sacrifice, on surrender and spiritual salvation.
So, what is Jesus doing? What is Jesus proclaiming by orchestrating this parade at the same time as Pilate was marching into Jerusalem from the opposite side of Jerusalem? What was Jesus' mission?
* I. First of all it was a Royal Parade - even though it did not have all the pomp and circumstance of Pilate's parade - this parade of Jesus was to announce His Kingship and the Coming of His Kingdom.
Matthew (Matthew 21) refers to Jesus as a king. Matthew understands that the purpose of this parade is to pronounce to everyone that Jesus is king.
Luke (19) also proclaims the purpose of this parade is to announce the kingship of Jesus. The same is true of John's account in chapter 12. And while Mark is rather silent, the idea of kingship and kingdom is underlined.
All four understand that Jesus was proclaiming his kingship that day. It was not something that happened by accident. It was all planned.
Jesus had carefully chosen to have this parade. He had purposely chosen this day. And he had purposely chosen to ride a donkey. It was all to remind the people of Zechariah 9:9. To remind the people of a time when Israel was not free. That they were under the iron rule of another power, the Persian King Darius. But it was also a time when God was announcing that a new day was coming - a day for a new king and a new Kingdom.
Jesus was making a statement about who He was - He was a king and He did have a Kingdom.
II. Jesus' Parade was also a Peaceful Protest Parade
Jesus' parade was all about kingship and it was also all about Protest
+By riding a donkey - by linking up with Zechariah 9:9 - Jesus was actively and openly protesting the status quo of his day. He was protesting first against the Religious rules of His day.
-Both Matthew and Luke record that right after this parade, Jesus goes into the Temple and for a 2nd time - turns over the money changers tables and proclaims that His Father's House is to be a House of Prayer not of money.
- It is right after this Parade that the next morning, Matthew tells us that Jesus curses the fig tree - a symbol of the religious power of Israel
+ By riding a donkey Jesus protests against the cruelty and power of Rome. He announces that you do not have to enslave people to have a kingdom. None of his followers are coerced. There are no swords or spears. You can built a kingdom through love, through sacrifice and through one's spirit. Jesus proclaims His Spiritual Kingdom against the Kingdom of Rome.
Throughout the last week of His life as you read the Gospel stories you see Jesus over and over again:
Teaching and speaking against the corruption of both the Romans and the religious parties in charge of the Jewish Temple and worship. Both had become greedy, self-serving and had robbed the people of their money and their dignity. Both had become idols that demanded service above that of God Himself.
III. But we see it not only was a royal parade - and not only was it a peaceful protest parade but it was also a funeral procession.
The people following Jesus that day did not understand this part. But Jesus did. Jesus knew he was marching into a city that would not welcome him. Jesus knew that before the next Sabbath they would be calling for his death.
And remember - everything was meticulously planned and orchestrated by Jesus. He left no details to chance. He knew what he was doing. He knew where he was going. He knew what message he would send with
+Marching in at the same time Pilate was marching in
+What message he would send by cleaning out the Temple a 2nd time
+What message he would send in renouncing both the corruption of Rome and the Temple
+What message he would send by proclaiming the SEVEN WOES.
Jesus knew he was marching to His own death, to his own grave.
So, what are we to take from all of this - what message are we to take from this passage of scripture. Is it to make us announce Jesus as Lord - which we should. Is it to challenge us to protest against the evils of our government and even the church - and it should. Is it to make us think about our mortality and where we stand before the LORD today - and it should.
But I think it is to get us to think about some other things as well. Things that can help us as we look back over this passage. I think it is to help us ask ourselves some other questions - Questions like:
1. Are we like Jesus getting ready to face a storm in our lives? And if we are how do we face that oncoming storm? How do we handle ourselves?
On the outside it might have looked like Jesus was riding into a city full of warmth and acceptance. However, we all know that in reality he was riding into a city that was full of hostile enemies. There were forces that wanted him dead - the Pharisees, the scribes, the Sadducees and the Romans.
Jesus rode into that city ready to face all those enemies.
Today, you may be facing a stiff challenge. You may be facing your own storm. You may be traveling down a path that is full of blind curves and landmines. You may be having to face your own enemies - enemies of sickness, pain, lack of money, friends failing you, marriages going sour and lives upside down. All around you there is a storm brewing and you may be riding into your own arena of battle.
What can you do - I think you can do what Jesus did - He rode into Jerusalem with courage and calm. He had faith in His Heavenly Father - a faith that enabled him to face his enemies, that enabled him to endure the pain of Gethsemane, the humiliation of the trial, the pain of betrayal, the whipping, the crown of thorns and the nails of the cross. Jesus faced the biggest storm in his life with faith, with courage, with calm and through His Spirit so too can we this morning.
Jesus constantly told his disciples, "DO NOT BE AFRAID". Some have pointed out that this had to be Jesus' 3rd commandment.
First of all - Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength
Second - Love others as you love yourself
Third - Have courage - do not be afraid
We cannot stop all the storms that come into our lives. Any more than Jesus could stop Judas, stop the trial, stop Pilate, stop the crowds calling out for his death or stop the nails of Calvary.
But you can call upon the name of Your Heavenly Father. You can face all the storms of your life with faith and with courage. You can face them with the assurance that Your Heavenly Father will see you through it all. That He will not forsake you nor will He fail You. You may have to face your own Gethsemane, your own trial and even your own Calvary. But you do not have to be defeated. Like Jesus you can have VICTORY!!!
2. Perhaps you are not facing a storm or a trial right now. Perhaps right now you are enjoying a time of peace and calm.
What are you to do? If you are there it is your time to begin waving a palm branch, taking off your cloak and giving your support. It is your time to be an encourager, someone to praise and be a supporter.
Each time we read this story - aren't you a little impressed by
+The courage the disciples had in going to get that donkey and its colt
+The willingness of the man who just allowed Jesus to take it
+The sacrifice of putting the most valuable thing that had that day on the ground so that Jesus could ride over it on a donkey
+The people who cut palm branches and sang song of praise - proclaiming Jesus as their King
Today, more than ever we need people of courage to just do what Jesus tells them to do.
Who when Jesus tells them to go - they go. When Jesus tells them to do something they don't balk - they just go and do it.
We need more disciples like these two - we don't even know their names - but we do know that they obeyed - that they did all that Jesus wanted them to do. May it be with us as well.
We need donkey owners like this man - who when Jesus needed something he just gave it up. No questions asked - no rental fees - just handed over the bridle and the little colt. Did not ask if Jesus was going to return it or what was going to happen to his donkey and colt.
Just reached out to these two disciples and gave them his animals.
We need people like that in the world today. People willing to give their best to Jesus. Now what is left over - not what they feel like that they have to give - but people who when prompted by the Holy Spirit react with a heart full of generosity and grace.
Jesus needed it and that was all that was necessary. May this be our hearts as well.
We need people who are willing to put all that they are in front of Jesus. For most of the people that lived at that time - their most valuable possession was what they were wearing. And the most valuable of all what they were wearing was their outside cloak - it was the only thing that keep them from the cold and the only thing that the law said had to be given to a man every day.
You could take a man's cloak at the beginning of the day if you owed you money. But at the end of the day you had to return it. For that cloak was his pillow, his cover, his protection.
But here they were - taking them off and allowing Jesus to ride over them with that donkey. They were laying all that they had at Jesus' feet.
We need people like that today - people who will lay at Jesus' feet - all their ambitions, all their agendas - all of their plans, their dreams, their wishes. We need people who will lay all that they have - their prized ideas and dreams - right at Jesus' feet.
We need palm wavers and singers - people who proclaim Jesus as King. For they were proclaiming Jesus as king at the same time Pilate was proclaiming Rome as king.
In effect each one of those singers could have been taken and crucified that very day. For here they were singing for all to hear that Jesus was king. Jesus was LORD.
We need such singers today - people who will sing today that Jesus is king. Not our government, not money, not possessions - but that Jesus is King. That will put it all out there on the line - who will line up with Jesus regardless of what the government says that we can do and what we can say.
For we are coming into a time of a new Rome - a new time when it looks like the powers of the air is trying to do all it can to silence the voices of Jesus. Don't pray at school, don't talk about Jesus at work, don't share your faith. Don't come to church - go and play. Don't come to church -spend the day with family and friends. Don't come to church - go to work making time and a half. Don't commit to Jesus - you will lose family, friends and be an outcast at work.
Friedrich Nietzche hated Christianity. He called it a slave religion. It hated it because it preached humility and service and self-sacrifice. For Nietzche Christianity was a religion for losers.
You know - he wasn't far off
Paul tells us that Jesus gave up his equalness with God to empty himself and become a slave - he gave up all to carry a cross. He gave up everything to go to Calvary.
Jesus proclaimed this message
+Be humble - don't push your way to the front
+Regard others before yourself - live the life of a servant
+Don't be obsessed with getting your own way
+Love your enemies - pray for them
+Pick up a cross and follow me
This is the time of year if we are not careful we reduce Palm Sunday to a Children's Event or to one of simply waving a Palm Branch as we enter Church. But truly this morning being a part of the Jesus Parade means we
+We accept the call to be obedient to all the commands of Jesus
+We place in the hands of Jesus all our possessions and power. (our donkeys)
+We rejoice in laying aside our precious things (our garments) and put them at the feet of Jesus (our ambitions and agendas)
+We boldly proclaim Him king (using all of body, soul and spirit) while the rest of the world may proclaim their own Rome (money, power, position, military, the government) supreme we are called to proclaim Jesus as King
+ In which like Jesus we pick up our cross and follow Him
Rome thought by marching in its own parade it would ultimately win, however history has shown us that the "ROMES" of this world never ultimately win.
If we want VICTORY - we must follow Jesus. Will you today join Jesus' Parade? Will you allow Him to be Savior and King of your life? If you will, then let's go join the Celebration of Jesus as Savior and LORD!!!
*Thanks goes to writings by Marcus J. Borg & John Dominic Crosson. The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach about Jesus’s Final Days in Jerusalem. (Harper San Francisco: San Francisco, 2007) along with Fred Craddock (sermon - Protest March - April 2003) for some excellent background to this sermon.
