Things aren’t what they appear to be.
And in life, some things are also not what they seem.
For example, we can make assumptions about things and systems and people, and maybe we steer clear of something because it seems like something we don’t like.
Maybe we look at a food or a venue or a type of music, and think – “Hmm that’s not for me.
Yet, if we actually try it, we can discover it’s wasn’t what it seemed to us.
Corona virus – told to look for cough, fever, yet many are testing positive and don’t have either!
When we meet other people (you remember what that was like?) some can seem serious or not appear interesting – but when we get to know them our opinion can change.
Things aren’t what they seem.
Indeed God’s kingdom is not what it seems to some people.
Some think
• heaven is like a palace on a fluffy cloud;
• God is like a Father Christmas figure, and
• you have to be good to get into heaven. (talked on Thursday)
You know, the religious leaders in first century Jerusalem seemed to be
• righteous,
• have all the answers,
• were closer to God than anyone else.
Yet Jesus (God’s Son) came along and launched into them - like they were the least who would end up in heav-en.
They were not what they seemed.
Let me tell you the Palm Sunday story - because it’s Palm Sunday!
And take a look at the things that were not as they seemed:
Way back in Zechariah 9:9, in the Old Testament, there was a prophecy that the Messiah would come riding on a young donkey – a colt.
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Your King! and coming from a prophet, it was seen to be that this was the messiah! The Messiah was the one from God to set Israel free! Especially as now Israel was part of the new Roman Empire - and under their rule.
Jesus was getting popular.
The crowds loved Him, but the religious leaders hated Him.
Jesus, on the Sunday before the crucifixion, tells His Disciples to untie a colt - a young, unridden donkey, and bring it to him.
They are outside the walls of Jerusalem.
Suddenly the atmosphere changed.
So with all the backdrop of celebration and anticipation that I described, it is really no surprise that Jesus receives the welcome he does as he rides into the city of Jerusalem.
For years now, Jesus has been travelling among them.
He’s been telling them of God’s coming kingdom, the promised restoration of Israel.
He’s been sharing God’s love with them and talking about release for the captives and recovery of sight for the blind.
They’ve even seen him living that out;
• healing people,
• raising them from the dead,
• giving “sinners” hope, and
• feeding the hungry.
So, when Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, he becomes the centre of the show.
It’s like a big celebrity making his way to the stage.
The social media of that time (word of mouth) was going viral.
People are shouting, pulling their clothes off, waving anything and everything they can find.
It’s quite a welcome, isn’t it?
A royal welcome, really.
In fact, maybe it was even seen as a sort of a military procession into Jerusalem, a welcome reserved for conquering kings!
The crowds throwing the their cloaks before Jesus and waving their leafy flags fully expected that in no time at all, Jesus would overthrow the oppressive regime and establish himself on the throne of David, restoring Israel’s glory.
The disciples had already argued about who would sit on Jesus right and left when He ruled.
The thought was obviously strong.
So once the colt of a donkey was brought to Jesus, people thought they would be set free from the Romans.
but do you know where he went?
Matthew tells us that he went straight to the temple.
Mark here says it was the next day – it matters not.
Everyone thought He would throw out the Romans in the garrison, - but the Lord went to the temple - not to worship, but to get mad at the temple practices - set up by the religious leaders!
All is not what it seems.
Instead of helping people sacrifice to God to forgive them, they made it difficult.
They sold animals to sacrifice - at a high rate. It became business!
Jesus overturned the tables where the business was done.
It seemed to be helping people worships correctly, but it’s actually the reverse!
Also in Mark 11 (that we read earlier), Jesus - having been in the temple where appearance was deceptive, he leaves the city and sees a fig tree and does something symbolic to it.
Again it is about things are not what they seem.
The withering of the fig tree is an enacted parable.
It is telling us that Israel, and especially its leadership, has failed to show any genuine spiritual fruit - it’s all leaves and foliage.
This was yet another warning to Israel that their refusal to receive their Messiah meant judgement was coming.
Things are not what they seem.
The religion of the day was superficial - nothing but leaves.
The assumption on who Jesus was was wrong. And by the end of the week, they were no longer calling Hosanna, but Crucify him!
Jesus didn’t do what they thought the Messiah should do, so they turned their backs.
But they were wrong, weren’t they? In fact, as we know, those crowds couldn’t have been more wrong!
And so the question for us this Palm Sunday is this:
are we like the fig tree
are we like the crowds
All is not what it seems. Are we going to fall into those same empty infatuations or our own assumptions, expectations, and comfort?
Or.. are going to understand who Jesus really is and put our faith in Him?
With Jesus, there is no superficial love.
In fact, His love is so great, so complete, so full, that it withstands the horror even of the crucifixion.
This is a love so great that it endures suffering for the sake of sinners. That’s scary! No wonder we have a hard time giving love in the way Jesus did!
But the thing is, part of following Jesus is that we love God and others in the same way he did.
It’s living a life that isn’t just leaves, but much fruit.
It’s living a life that isn’t religious, but a relationship with a mighty, loving God
Should we celebrate this day – remembering Jesus in triumph? Definitely.
Should we hail the conquering hero who delivers us? Absolutely.
Should we sing praises and shout “Hosanna!” at the top of our lungs? Most certainly.
But this Palm Sunday, and every day, as we declare His greatness,
let us always remember who this really is.
Let’s never forget just how very, very, much he loves us. And
let’s love others in the same way.
Be authentic in your faith
Be fruitful in your witness!
In this time of uncertainty – we can point to One who is certain.
Pray:
Father God, on this Palm Sunday, when we think of crowds lining the street, we are shut in a home. Yet through this broadcast we are brought together. And we can shout Hosanna! Praise you Jesus – our Saviour for your love and willingness to go to the cross for us.
May our life not be routine and religious, or just waving leaves, but full and fruitful as we reach out to those around us with the hope of Jesus Christ
