When Pierre Trudeau passed away not too long ago I could hardly keep up with all the articles about the man and his career. I suppose that kind of coverage is only natural for a former Prime Minister of sixteen years. The articles I enjoyed reading the most were the ones debating whether or not Mr. Trudeau was a good leader. There is no doubt that he left his mark on Canada but people can’t seem to agree if it’s a blotch or a brooch. For example did his promotion of official bilingualism draw the country together or drive it apart? Did his Wages and Price Controls of ’75 help the economy or make it worse? Did his sponsorship of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms assure freedom for citizens or free government from accountability?
I’m not about to wade into the debate on Trudeau’s legacy but I am willing to tell you what makes for a great leader: ability, humility, and popularity. Did Pierre Trudeau demonstrate those qualities? It depends to whom you talk I suppose. I do know of one leader that definitely has those qualities. An honest look at the events of Palm Sunday will show that Jesus has the qualities of a great king - a king worth following.
The first thing to look for in a great king is the ability to lead. For that you need two things: smarts, and power. Our text proves that Jesus had both. Jesus showed just how smart he was when he sent two of his disciples ahead to the next town to fetch a donkey. Jesus did not simply ask his disciples to find something, anything, for him on which to ride into Jerusalem. He told the disciples exactly what to bring back, where they would find it, and what they should say when the owner asked them where they were going with his donkey. When the two disciples arrived in town they found everything just as Jesus had described. And just as Jesus had promised the owner allowed them to take the donkey.
The fact that Jesus knew all these details demonstrates his omniscience – his divine ability to know all things. Of course sceptics try to find other explanations as to how Jesus knew that a donkey would be available to him in the next town. They claim that Jesus had made arrangements with the owners beforehand. If that’s the case why did the owners sound alarmed when the disciples started marching off with their donkey? Others say that Jesus had ridden on this donkey before and knew that it would be available to him again. Yet that’s not a plausible explanation either because the gospel writers are careful to point out that the donkey had never before been ridden.
Isn’t it comforting to know that Jesus knows all things? If he knew that a donkey was waiting for him in the next town, he certainly knows what’s down the road for you. Therefore there is no need to worry about what tomorrow will bring because Jesus is already there. We can also trust that following his commands won’t send us on a wild goose chase. Just as the disciples found the donkey as Jesus said they would, we can trust that when Jesus directs us to put our trust and faith in him for our eternal salvation and for our temporal good he will not let us down.
Jesus was not only smart; he was powerful. He demonstrated his divine power by riding an unbroken colt into Jerusalem. Big deal you say? Well, you’ve never been around a colt before if you don’t think that’s a big deal. A colt can be more antsy than a pre-schooler on a sugar high. Not only was it amazing that this unbroken colt would allow Jesus to ride it but as far we know it didn’t even buck when it was surrounded by the ecstatic crowds shouting their Hosannas and throwing their cloaks down in front of it.
Of course Jesus had done other things to demonstrate his power. Shortly before he rode into Jerusalem he healed two blind men in Jericho. We may be tempted to take those miracles for granted because Jesus did them all the time but think of how modern medicine has yet to give someone their sight back. Sure doctors say they can improve eyesight through laser surgery but that process can also decrease your night vision. I doubt if those two men in Jericho had any problem with their night vision after Jesus healed them.
If you’re not impressed with the healing of the blind men, then be impressed as the crowds were with how Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. The Apostle John tells us that that’s the reason many people came out from Jerusalem to meet Jesus. Jesus is a great king. He has the ability to lead because he not only knows what lies ahead in our future but has the power to keep us safe and to heal us. He even has power over death! Now that’s something no earthly leader can claim.
So often when leaders are smart and powerful they take advantage of those qualities and rule for their own benefit, not the benefit of the people. That’s what the former leaders of Yugoslavia and the Philippines have been charged with doing. That’s why humility is another quality that makes for a great leader.
Jesus was humble. He demonstrated that humility with his choice of transportation for his march into Jerusalem. Instead of riding into town on a white stallion like a conquering general Jesus rode a donkey. That would be like the Prime Minister flying economy class to important state functions instead of taking the private jet! By his choice of transportation Jesus reminds us that he had come to serve and not to be served. The Old Testament lesson for today (Zech. 9:9, 10) foretold how Jesus would serve by bringing salvation.
Unfortunately not many people understand the nature of that salvation. Many Jews thought that Jesus was going to bring salvation from tough times by setting up an earthly kingdom with free food and medical coverage for all. Isn’t that what many people want from God today? I mean isn’t that the reason why anyone would go to church? Well, actually no. If we think that our biggest challenge in life is finding a secure job or someone to care for us then we have not grasped the seriousness of our own sin. The worst thing that could happen to us is not losing our job or family, it’s leaving this world without the benefit of forgiveness. That’s why Jesus came – to die on the cross for the sins of the world. Through his death and resurrection Jesus has given to us forgiveness and eternal life. No, he hasn’t promised an easy life here but he has promised a glorious eternity in heaven for all who believe in him.
Since Jesus was so humble it’s not surprising that he was popular. By that I mean he had the ability to connect with the people. Jesus certainly demonstrated that ability as crowds followed him into Jerusalem singing his praises. The reason Jesus was popular with the people is that he had come to bring rest, not extra laws and commands like the religious establishment of the day.
Does that surprise you? I mean is your impression of Christianity a religion that brings rest, or one that brings extra burdens? I suspect that most people, even many Christians, think that Christianity is all about rules and regulations. What you can and can’t do. What you must give to the church, etc. That’s not what Christianity is all about. Jesus came to give us rest and he does in his Word where he gives us some pretty good promises.
Jesus gives us rest from worrying about our health because he tells us that he will give us the strength we need to battle medical difficulties. He gives us rest from the fear of what might happen to our children as he promises to watch over them. Should he allow them to die Christ assures us to take the believers to be with him in heaven where we will be reunited with them. Therefore instead of thinking that the well-being of your life and family depends on you, hand all concerns over to God. Be confident that the one who has given you forgiveness will also provide for your daily needs. You see, Christianity is not a religion that runs your life; it’s a religion that makes your life run more smoothly by keeping you plugged into God’s promises.
But now if Jesus came to serve us why do we Christians talk so much about what we can do to serve him? Well, since our king has promised to take care of us how can we not sing his praises and serve him out of thankfulness? Look at how the crowds responded to Jesus on Palm Sunday. They praised him with loud voices for all to hear. They cut down palm branches (a symbol of life and salvation) and laid those in the path of the donkey. They even took off their outer garments and placed those on the ground for the colt to walk on. By the way, the cloaks the people laid down for the donkey to walk on weren’t rags; they were the coats off their back that doubled as blankets. These items would have cost quite a bit to replace but these people didn’t think about that. They only wanted to give to Jesus their best.
Is that the kind of service we bring to our king? Are we eager to sing his Hosannas out in the open not caring who else sees or hears us? Are we excited to bring others out to meet Jesus? Do we give him our best in the way of offerings? As we evaluate our congregation’s future and look to see what we can do with our property are we thinking in terms of what won’t cost us a lot to do, or in terms of what will give glory to God by giving him our best? When asked to let our name stand for a church council position or to help out with the Christian Support Network are we quick to come up with reasons why we can’t instead of looking for ways we can? Dear friends, put things in its proper perspective. There is no greater privilege than serving Jesus he is a great king!
Palm Sunday clearly demonstrates what a great king Jesus is. If you’re still not convinced, however, come back for our Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter services. There you will learn of the depths that Jesus went to serve and to save us. Say what you will about Pierre Trudeau, or any earthly leader, but only one thing can be said about Christ; he is a great king who deserves great praise. Amen.
