Perhaps some had a disappointed look on their face as they peered through the crowd, catching a glimpse of a lone figure coming down the road. Rumors had spread as people calculated his next move. Yet, many were expecting to see him sitting tall and proudly astride a spirited war-horse. Instead of a spirited horse, one with flaring nostrils and blazing eyes, a young colt, or donkey appeared to be carrying the only person making a grand entry into Jerusalem. Every available eye was fixed upon the King. But this King was different than many had expected.
On Palm Sunday our attention is drawn to the account of Jesus entering Jerusalem. According to the Gospel of Luke, this is the first recorded trip Jesus made to Jerusalem since he was there at the age of twelve. Those who had been following Jesus were excited. They had witnessed him healing people, now the grand finale.
Some felt that Jesus would set up his kingdom.
He would provide food and housing for the homeless,
Freedom for the prisoners unjustly bound by harsh judges,
Healing and sight for the lame and blind,
Liberation for the oppressed, and
He would guarantee a true Jubilee--the landless would have land.
Be assured that every follower, and many potential followers, had a long list waiting for the new king. Naturally none of them had a selfish motive. In Luke 19:37 we observe that there was a multitude of disciples who were joyfully praising God for the deeds of power they had seen.
Jesus did not have an active ministry in Jerusalem; apparently these disciples came from regions between Galilee and Jerusalem.
Now the itinerant preacher-prophet-healer had finished the journey to Jerusalem. The impatient people lining the road wanted justice and they wanted it now. This was test time. Would Jesus produce? That was the question on everyone’s mind. If he doesn’t, you watch them, they will walk away.
In Luke 9:51 Jesus begins his journey to Jerusalem.
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
The journey culminates in Luke 19:27 and Jesus prepares to enter Jerusalem. Read the book of Luke and pay attention to the uniqueness of Jesus’ public ministry—what he taught and what he did. It is the story of an incredible journey.
An appropriate title for the Journey Narrative could be, “Jesus’ journey to peace and justice.” (Williard Swartley, htm.) The theme of peace and justice is seen best in Luke, it is the theological emphasis of the Gospel according to Luke. A book by John Dear, Jesus The Rebel, explores the radical life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth and shows how his witness speaks directly to our contemporary world of violence, war, poverty, and nuclear weaponry. It is about Jesus’ call to discipleship, he shares his own journey of Gospel peacemaking. In jails, soup kitchens, shelters, and war zones, Jesus the bearer of God’s Peace and Justice is reborn and invites us to be transformed in our homes, workplaces, churches, communities, and hearts.
JUSTICE: 10:29; 12:57; 16:15, 18:3, 5, 7, 8; 18:9, 14; 20:20;
23:47 (Culminates here)
PEACE: 10:5-6; 19:38, 42 (Culminates here)
There is something familiar about the praise that meets Jesus as he enters Jerusalem riding a colt, a donkey. The “Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest!” sounds familiar. It is similar to the announcement of the angels at the birth of Jesus.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. (Lk. 2:14)
In Luke 2 the vision was fully known only by the heavenly beings; now the people are praising God for what He has done through Jesus. Yet, most of them don’t fully understand--they have too easily become focused on the immediate. Jesus sees beyond the praise that has miracles as a prerequisite for praise. His thoughts were deeper, broader, than they could ever comprehend.
On many occasion even his disciples, not to mention many others, questioned, “Who is he.” Jesus knew that this was a hot question.
27Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 28They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." (Mk. 8)
My perception is that Jesus paid particular attention to who people thought he was. And he knew that many had misunderstood.
Can you picture it? The disciples are jubilant as they walk with Jesus as He enters Jerusalem. They were probably like a basketball player looking toward the crowd, rallying the fans, encouraging them to rock the roof. It was deafening. Everyone thought they were on the winning team. Jerusalem was going to stand tall and victorious--for God is on our side! Peace and justice were marching into Jerusalem--they both spoke.
41As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." (Lk 19)
Oops! Is that what they expected him to say? The destruction to which Jesus referred would bring struggle and suffering upon even the most faithful followers of Jesus. There is tension involved in the story.
Some would eventually throw in the towel because they received no immediate reconcilable gratification.
• What would keep others from forsaking him?
• What will keep us from forsaking him when we pray for physical needs,healing, and freedom?
• What will keep Christians true to their faith when tempted to pull away?
Praise and lament are joined together in the triumphal entry and during Passion Week. May I suggest this as a theme that characterizes Passion Week? Praise and lament. Yes, during the week preceding Jesus’ crucifixion. And, during this Passion Week we, too, must sense the tension—it is an irresolvable tension.
What do I mean? The week started with praise. Yet, as the week unfolded it was characterized more by a somber spirit. Many didn’t want that. They wanted their dreams, their aspirations of the soul, to come to fruition immediately.
What do we do when life isn’t working the way we think it should? I see two extremes.
1. Some walk away, not willing to stay the course when the seas are stormy.
2. Others are tempted to ignore or deny there is uncertainty, confusion or pain. They are like the man I visited in the hospital.
As I stepped into a hospital room I asked the patient, as a conversation starter, How are you today? The man immediately through the cover off his left leg to show me his leg. It looked horrible; to me, it looked like the only option was amputation—I am glad I was a chaplain and not a medical doctor. He told me, “Praise God He has healed me, but He hasn’t revealed it.” My realism wanted to respond, “Sir, I am sorry! God may heal you, however, right now, you’re leg looks terrible. As a compassionate person I didn’t respond in a questionable way.
What do we do when life isn’t working the way we have planned for God to bless?
Perhaps we gain insight into this question in our text.
53They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. 54Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
55The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.
57Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58"We heard him say, `I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.' " 59Yet even then their testimony did not agree.
60Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" 61But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"
62"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
63The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. 64"You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him.
Right before this account, a young man was following the group making their way to the meeting of the religious leaders. Fear caused him to run, as they grabbed his garment he sped away naked. Following this account Peter called down curses upon himself and indignant said, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” (Mk. 14:71)
Yet, in the midst of the turning away, distancing from, and outright rejection, there is a resounding voice that was heard above all others, “I Am.”
How do you suppose Jesus said, I Am? With flaring nostrils, “I am!”? With a fist thrust to the sky, “I am!”? With his head hanging low, “I am”? Or, did he look straight forward, with eyes reflecting the pain he felt and with his mind thinking of the consequences of what He was about to say, “I am”?
We know how we want him to respond. We want him to declare his intention and jump right over the cross, to the resurrection and answer our prayers the way we want them answered. We want him to fix everything that is wrong in this world. And, in our lives.
Yet, as Jesus said, “I am,” he knew what lay ahead for himself and those who would follow him. “I AM!” is a declarative statement that few can make with the kind of authority and confidence that Jesus embodied. One will find seven reference to himself using “I Am”.
Video Clip: Jesus Declares: I Am the Light of the World…
And, as he hung on the cross, with a look of mercy and grace that continues to penetrate our souls, Jesus said,
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Lk. 23:34
Allow me to suggest several things I believe we learn while studying the activities of the Passion Week.
I. JESUS UNDERSTANDS WHEN OUR SPIRITS ARE WEAK
Ideally we wish that we would never falter, never face the temptation to live contradictive lives, or never feel comfortable ignoring our prayer walk with Christ. Yet, it happens to the best of us. There are times when we are more like the fearful and fleeing disciples than we want to admit.
We stand on this side of the resurrection, we know the rest of the story; yet, we often find ourselves shuddering while standing next to Peter at the fire that brought no warmth. We want to walk into church and our prayer closets confident and victorious, yet there is a lump in our throat and a limp in our walk.
41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matt. 26
We celebrate Easter in the spring of the year. Newness is bursting out all around us. There is the promise of new beginnings. We anticipate the promise of hope. The Christian faith has prescribed long bright sunny days, days filled with images of joy and happiness. But, we know that almost every Sunday we have those who live with a gloomy cloud hovering over their head. They feel left out when people all around them gleam while speaking of a bright spirituality.
Lady with flash backs began recalling the abuse she had experienced...dissociate...medication...Satanic cult...sang about Jesus...another time she saw Jesus standing with hands in his pockets... (Bill Hybel, 101)
We quickly respond with our resurrection responses, yet, we constantly meet those whose spirits are chilly. They, too, are stirred to find harmony between the absence and presence of God. They want what other Christians have, those whose lives seem to be filled with sunshine. Martin Marty describes this person:
Never does a frown cloud her face. Lips, once drawn tight in disapproval, are now drawn tight in cosmetic smile. “The Lord will it.” Never does the storm of a troubled heart receive its chance to be heard. The Lord has satisfied every need, one hears, so it would be a sin to stare once more at the void within. Christ is the answer, the spirit is warm and no chill is ever allowed between the boards or around the windows of the soul. . . .
Must one, can one, forget the parched tongues of children or the flooding rivers of catastrophe? “I am enjoying my spiritual high,” the friend seems to be saying, “and you can have one, too--so long as you create illusion. You must vacate your heart’s residence near the world of reality. Relocate yourself in a hermitage of the soul.” (p. 3)
I am fearful we are often afraid and unwilling to admit we feel weak in spirit. Yet, praise and lament must coexist. Walter Brueggemann says that churches who have lost the value of lament in worship and devote attention only to praise and adoration are actually developing dysfunctional Christians. He says,
In that loss we may unwittingly endorse false self that can take no initiative toward an omnipotent God. We also may unwittingly endorse unjust systems about which no questions can properly surface. When lament is absent, we may be engaged in uncritical history-stifling praise. Both psychological inauthenticity and social immobility may be derived from the loss of these texts. If we care about authenticity and justice, the recovery of these texts is urgent.
Praise and lament are intermingled in the Passion Week. Jesus affirmed the praise of those lining the street and Mary anointing him. Jesus also wept over the “not yet” condition of those he desperately loved. Jesus praised his Father and felt the heaviness of heart. In the Garden, he agonized.
Paul Tournier in his book, Creative Suffering, tells about the loss of his wife. He comments,
The greater the grief, the greater the creative energy to which it gives rise. (p. 58)
He reminds us that the best and worst are inextricably mixed together.
Oxygen and nitrogen
Joy and sadness
Well-being and distress
Life and death
Resurrection and crucifixion
The Passion Week holds before us the experiences of Jesus as he experienced these polarities. He accepted them in his life and accepts us as we experience them.
There it is again. Do you hear him? “I am.” Go and explore that for your life.
II. JESUS’ MODEL SHOWS US HOW TO FACE DIFFICULT TIMES
The beauty of the Passion Week is Jesus’ invitation, in essence he says, “Come, spend a week with me.” He models how we too can find the rhythm of life that allows us to accept the full range of feelings and experiences. He shows us that debilitating despair and despondency need not be the controlling factors of life--especially when we go through difficult times.
• He understood sorrow of the human heart
“My soul is very sorrowful, event to death.”
• He felt the heaviness of heart as he prayed in the Garden
“Father, if possible, let this hour pass from me.”
• He braced himself for the Kiss of death from a close friend
“Master,” and Judas kissed him
• He embraces his aloneness as the hostile members of the Sanhedrin attempted to intimidate him
“I adjure you by the living God, are you the Christ?”
• He felt the power of God that enabled him to face all that was to come, even death
“I am!”
Jesus’ statement was a Christological statement. His greatest declaration. It meant that there was/is hope. Now, we can join him and can say when confronted with the realities of life
I am a child of the king
I am his and he is mine
I am resolved
I am satisfied with Jesus
I am so happy in Christ today
I am thine, O Lord
I am weak, but thou art strong
“I Am” is the sacred and holy name of God. When we lean upon his name we have hope!
There is strength in the name of the Lord;
There is pow’r in the name of the Lord;
There is hope in the name of the Lord;
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord
III. JESUS ENCOURAGES INTIMACY WITH GOD, NOT PERSONAL GRATIFICATION
How do we measure our spirituality? If not careful, we will use the same standards of those who became disillusioned with Jesus during the Passion Week. To measure our spirituality, or to prove the cross’ efficaciousness, we need look at various problems and how they are solved,
SUBJECT FOCUS
1. Economic Acquiring for self or equal distribution
2. Ignorance Enlightened minds will solve problems of evil
3. Loss of heritage Security is linked to belonging
4. Dehumanized Technology and bureaucracy
5. Poor communication Tearing down barriers that separate
6. Existential anxiety Loss of purpose
7. Unconscious mind Forgotten experiences of childhood
We then come to church and say, “Okay, Lord, here are our problems. If you are real and if your death really has power to transform our lives, you fix them.” Then we go home and the problems of the world have not been fixed. We are forced to ask, “What is the goal of the spiritual life?”
I do not believe the ultimate goal of our prayer life is to get God to fix everything or hand us a prepackaged life that is a “bed of roses.”
• Jesus did not fix every person’s problem.
• He did not rescue Judas.
• He did not shield Peter from burning his face at the fire and feeling the pierce of the rooster’s crow and being crucified upside down.
• He did not reconcile capitalism and communism
• He did not educate the illiterate
It would be wrong for us to conclude that Jesus’ ultimate goal was or is to be responsible for every person’s premature wrinkle or poor golf swing. The “Word of Faith” movement is setting many up for failure and despair.
The Word of Faith movement or word-faith theology developed in the latter half of the 20th century in mainly Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. Its beginnings trace back to an early twentieth century evangelical pastor, E.W. Kenyon (1867-1948), who preached that God would award financial and other gifts if the faithful would ask. Kenyon coined the phrase, "What I confess, I possess." Kenneth E. Hagin is often credited with being the father of the modern Word of Faith movement, using a four-part formula he claimed to have received from Jesus: "Say it; do it; receive it; tell it."
Proponents of the doctrine include Oral Roberts, Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Kenneth Hagin, Jerry Savelle, Charles Capps, Bill Winston, Creflo Dollar, Charles Nieman, Hobart Freeman, Benny Hinn, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, T.D. Jakes, and Marilyn Hickey, among others. They teach that Christians must claim the grace God has promised them, whether in material goods, health, social position, or roles within the church.
While working on my doctorate, there was a peer who had bought into this movement. He was diagnosed with cancer and, following surgery the surgeon told his wife it looked like someone had dipped a paint brush in a bucket of cancerous cells and splattered them inside of his abdomen. His faith was shattered. During this same time one of our professors, Dr. Wamble, had surgery and was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. I would often visit him and he wrote about his experience. In an amazing way, this great theologian and church history professor demonstrated how the authentic Word enables one to find peace and contentment in the midst of suffering. I mailed Dr. Wamble’s writings to Charlie. He later told me that those writings enabled him to find an authentic faith that sustains us regardless of our circumstances.
What is the key? Intimacy with God. This is the secret for understanding Jesus. It is the very thing that allowed him to set his face toward Jerusalem and stay true to the course. And, it is that which will allow us to follow Christ in the good and not so good days of life. Jesus wants us to be one with him, in fellowship and relationship.
Oneness with God--that is the measure of our spirituality. Jesus could say “I and the Father are one” (Jn. 10:30)--neuter {hen}, essence, nature. This unity enabled him to stay focused while on the journey to Jerusalem and the cross.
Jesus invites us to have the same kind of intimacy, connectedness, with him. Is it not sad that we often spend more time with God in attempts to get him to fix things for us than we do when things are going great? We want to spend time with our spouse when things are going well, we want to go play golf if they aren’t going well. Yet, we often get it backwards with God.
Listen to Jesus’ discussion with his disciples, words that came from his heart right before his arrest and his declaration.
John 17: 6 “I have revealed you[a] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of[b] your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by[c] that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by[d] the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
That is oneness. That is intimacy. That is what God makes available to each of us. For oneness with God is enough, it is the measurement of our spirituality!
CONCLUSION
As a person, Jesus had never experienced death and resurrection. Yet, he stood before the Sanhedrin, unwavering, sure, and certain that his death and resurrection would enable persons to know God as he knew God, Jesus’ voice penetrated the hearts of those who were willing to hear--
“I Am”
? I am the bread of life John 6: 35, 48
? I am the light of the world John 8: 12, 9:5
? Before Abraham was, I am John 8: 58
? I am the door John 10:9
? I am the good shepherd John 10:11
? I am the resurrection and the life John 11:25
? I am the way, the truth, and the life John 14:6
? I am the true vine John 15:1
?
Though fully aware of what was before him, Jesus could say, “I am.” Even when he cried from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me,” he believed that in His timing God was making everything beautiful. The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus says, have hope, for “In his time...”
Jesus understands when our spirits are weak
Jesus’ model shows us how to face difficult times
Jesus encourages intimacy with God, not personal gratification
Jesus provides us with spiritual strength for the good and bad days.
