At the Chamber of Commerce meeting this week they were already asking for volunteers to help with the 4th of July Parade. The time-honored tradition of celebrating our quaint and friendly town of Aptos. This year’s theme is Anchors Away, honoring the Aptos High School Mariners. The half mile route is known as the world’s shortest 4th of July parade. We might have had the worlds shortest Palm Sunday parade, as we sang and processed in with our palms this morning. We weren’t celebrating our independence, rather we are celebrating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Starting from the Mount of Olives, Jesus enters the Holy city from one of his favorite places. In Luke we read, “every day (Jesus) was teaching in the temple; and every night he went out, and lodged in the mount that is called Olivet” (Luke 21:37). The Mount of Olives, or Mount Olivet, is a mountain ridge to the east and adjacent to Jerusalem, separated by the Kidron Valley. On this route Jesus walked right past the Garden of Gethsemane, where he would later pray with his disciples before his betrayal.
On my first trip to the Holy Land, I was moved by the sacred feeling that dwells on the Mount of Olives. Being in the place where Jesus loved to frequent, ascending the mount as Jesus did. Touching the olive trees that some believe date back 2,000 years. Even if not quite that long, the trees would be the descendants of the sprigs taken from the trees that witnessed Christ’s prayers. Powerful continuity of history. Walking where he walked, praying where he prayed, standing where he was betrayed.
So often Palm Sunday is all about the parade, the triumphal entry, the arrival of the King. We contrast the lowly colt with the strong stead of a mighty king. But two biblical scholars believe there might have been two parades that week. “Jesus scholars Borg and Crossan give a riveting image… there were two processions that Passover week. From the west came Pilate draped in the gaudy glory of imperial power: horses, chariots, and gleaming armor. He moved in with the Roman army at the beginning of Passover week to make sure nothing got out of hand. Insurrection was in the air with the memory of God’s deliverance of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt. From the east came another procession, a commoner’s procession: Jesus in ordinary robe riding on a young donkey” (Feasting on the Word, C2, p. 153). Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy as Zechariah 9:9 declares, “Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt.” Two parades, each unknown to the other, one from the east, one from the west, converging in Jerusalem. Ultimately these two parades will cross, clash, and history is altered forever.
Today we celebrate with palms as people celebrated Jesus arriving into Jerusalem. Today we shout hosanna. Hosanna means praise, adoration or joy. We shout our praise for our God who sent his Son into the world. We adore Jesus for being willing to take up his cross so that we might live. We sing with joy. We, like the multitude of disciples, praise God joyfully for all deeds of power we have seen. The ways God answers prayers. The ways God is active in our lives allowing us a glimpse of God’s presence when we most need it. The ways God cares for us through the Holy Spirit. The ways that Jesus is our comforter and encourager in life. On Palm Sunday we praise God for all that. But we are also aware it is a time of conflict. We come celebrating but soon Jesus will face his betrayal. One commentator wrote, “For all its joyful hosannas, Palm Sunday is a day of contrasts. We hear it in the hymns, pivoting as they do between happy triumph and inevitable crucifixion. We see it in Jesus, as the ruler of the universe chooses to ride a borrowed colt. The contrast is clear in the destination, as the city that welcomes him will later scream for his blood” (Feasting on the Word, C2, p. 154).
Jesus is heading for the cross. Soon he will die for our sins. So much happens between now and Easter morning. But today we are like the disciples shouting, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” Let us be like the disciples seeking “Peace in heaven” so that it can be reflected in peace on earth. This cry for peace marks the beginning and end of Jesus life. You recall at Jesus’ birth, the angels promise “Peace on earth” (Luke 2:14). Now as Jesus enters Jerusalem for the last time, the disciples cry out for “Peace in heaven.” At his birth, heaven sings of peace on earth, before his death earth echoes back peace in heaven. Knowing the darkness that lies ahead, may we continue to echo back peace until God manifests peace on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Luke 22:14-23:56 (NRSV) Selected Verses
The Institution of the Lord’s Supper
14 When the hour came, (Jesus) took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table.
The Dispute about Greatness
24 A dispute arose among (the disciples) as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
Jesus said 31 “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; 33 And he said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.”
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
39 Jesus came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” [[43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]]
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
Suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?”
Peter Denies Jesus
54 Then they seized Jesus and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. 56 Then a servant-girl, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
Jesus before Pilate
23 Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus[i] before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” 3 Then Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered, “You say so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.”
Jesus Sentenced to Death
13 Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 I will therefore have him flogged and release him.”
18 Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!” 19 (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.” 23 But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed.
The Crucifixion of Jesus
26 As they led Jesus away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus.
32 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”]]
The Death of Jesus
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last.
