Pilgrim Uniting Church

It happens at big events covered by the media such as the Oscars, the ARIAS and for us the Allan Border Medal and the Brownlow Medal Count. I’m refering to the red carpet arrivals. Limos pull up and stars of the screen or sporting stars arrive and the camera focuses on them. Then some commentator asks them about what they are wearing and who designed it etc. All those who attend want to make a good entrance, to be seen to have a small amount of time in the spotlight. Very different to our passage for this morning. It’s not about being in the spotlight. In fact it’s quite the opposite. Jesus rode into controversy.

In our passage for today Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey and a colt as Matthew the writer connects the story of Jesus back to the words of the prophet Zechariah. What is triumphant about Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey? This statement is a complete misnomer. It arose in medieval times when the church was obsessed with temporal power[1].

Palm Sunday is the final Sunday before Holy Week (SLIDE 1). Today is a day of build up not unlike the excitement before a big game. A game that doesn’t end up living up to expectations.

Jesus riding on a donkey not a horse as generals, Kings and warriors had done in the past. King David rode into Jerusalem on a horse. ‘By his action, Jesus was saying something about power and powerlessness. The humility of his action stands in contrast to the crowd's expectation of him as a conqueror. In the entry to Jerusalem, God is identified with the poor rather than the rich, with the humble against the proud, with those who love against those who hate, with peace against war. All the virtues which we tend to see as weak are the ones which he claims to be strong. He gives up power and in his powerlessness shows the greater strength[2].

Two thousand years after Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, another visitor came to the city, Germany's last Kaiser, Wilhelm II. His entourage was so grand that he had to have the Jaffe Gate in the old city widened so that his over-sized carriage could pass through. After the parade had ended, someone climbed up and attached a large sign to the gate. The sign read, "A better man than Wilhelm came through this city's gate. He rode on a donkey."[3]

Jesus is coming in one entrance to Jerusalem and more soldiers from the Roman Army are entering the city at another point. The Jewish people were preparing for the time of Passover. As they celebrated the time prior to the Exodus where according to Exodus the angel of death passed over all the doorposts throughout the land of Egypt where the blood of the lamb was smeared and brought death to the firstborn children of all those who didn’t have blood over the their doorpost. This was the final straw for the Pharaoh who them let the Israelites go. Now the Jews people are out of slavery but are bonded to another nation (the Roman Empire). There was tension in the air as Passover is about to be celebrated but under the rule of a foreign nation.

Jesus rode into controversy. Hosanna, to the Son of David. Hosanna in the highest Heaven. Hosanna (save us) A political and sociological cry.

‘When the crowds on this day so many years ago shouted Hosanna! to Jesus, they were certainly expecting great things politically, and perhaps militarily, from his arrival on the scene. There are some who still await the coming of such a one’[4]. Hosanna. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. What heightened expectations to ride on into.

‘Jesus was not entering a foreign city, nor entering the city of 'the Jews'. He was a Jew. He was entering the city which symbolised his faith and his scriptures God's promise to Israel. To confront one's own faith and its traditions is painful (SLIDE 2). This is part of the drama of the event, both in Matthew's account and in the earlier forms of the story, not least in the event itself. For Jesus in Matthew next overturns the tables in the temple (SLIDE 2).

Thus Jesus' approach to Jerusalem has become for many a symbol of the confrontation they must make, including the confrontation with themselves. The issues at stake are not ultimate control or power, though it is easy to give this impression: A radically subverted model of power exercised in compassion challenges the temple system and Rome in its day and their equivalents in our own, around us and within us[5].

The truth is lost if we associate this event with triumphalism. Jesus entered Jerusalem with all the symbols of simple humility. His actions were a mockery of the things the world associates with power[6].

There is the response of a small crowd. It began with cheers and ended in tears. What are our expectations of Jesus? Jesus rode into controversy.

[1] Ron O'Grady, Aotearoa/New Zealand, from The Bible Through Asian Eyes

[2] Ibid, as above.

[3] F:\Palm Sunday Year A 08\Palm Sunday\Day1 A Beautiful Mind by The Rev: Dr Joanna Adams.mht

[4] F:\Palm Sunday Year A 08\Palm Sunday\Göttinger Predigten im Internet.mht

[5] F:\Palm Sunday Year A 08\Palm Sunday\Palm Sunday 16 March Matthew 211-11.mht

[6] Ibid, Ron O Grady.

This message was preached at
by Rev Darryn Hickling of Pilgrim Uniting Church, Doncaster,
20 Westfield Drive Doncaster 3108.
Phone: 9889 1138 Mobile: 0403 265 342
darrynhickling@pilgrimuca.org.au
www.pilgrimuca.org.au

Enquiries about the Christian faith are always welcome.