The Three G's of Palm Sunday
Whether we admit it or not, most of us probably enjoy checking out some of the awards shows on television. Not necessarily to listen to the over-inflated egos of some otherwise truly talented people as they accept their awards, though. No, I dare say some of us much prefer to watch the stars arrive on the red carpet before the shows begin, then we switch back and forth between other programs of interest, waiting for the awards categories that interest us most.
The conversations at some of these home (or dormitory, or bar) awards parties can be quite interesting, too. "Oh no she did NOT wear THAT outfit to the Oscars!" "Oooooo, I thought she was seeing THIS man, and now she shows up at the awards with that WOMAN!" And who does he think HE is? Is that girl he’s with even legal age?" Glitter, glamour, and gossip. The 3 G’s of the Hollywood red carpet treatment.
Today we are looking at the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. It is a day of loud "Hosanna’s!" "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!" It is a day of red carpet treatment. It is a day of glitter, glamour, and gossip. It is a day that marks—quite literally—the beginning of one "hell" of a week for Jesus Christ.
Well, that last comment was certainly an interesting way to enter into a sermon, wasn’t it? After all, isn’t this particular Sunday supposed to be all glitz and glamour? Then, we come back next week for the greatest news of all history!
Well, that’s partially true. There is a lot of joy in today’s reading, and we can’t deny that next week marks what should be a huge celebration of what Christians believe is the greatest news of all time.
But there is a whole lot that happens in the week in-between these two events—a lot of stuff that we would just as soon not think about. So many of us go from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday without missing a beat. But today, I am going to attempt to take us a little deeper than the glitz, glamour, and gossip of Palm Sunday.
In today’s lesson there is certainly a lot of glitz and glamour. Jesus arrives in Jerusalem with lots of fanfare. Like of lot of celebrities, I imagine Jesus’ growing celebrity reputation somewhat preceded him.
The disciples did some additional advance PR work under Jesus’ direction by arranging for appropriate transportation. We really don’t know if the person who gave his colt to the disciples knew WHO the disciples meant when they told him, "the Lord needs it;" but I can imagine word got around pretty fast that SOMEONE important was coming to Jerusalem for Passover.
Of course there is no one EXACTLY like Jesus—not then, and not now. But we can draw a few parallels. The office boy who becomes a media mogul—that is the story of David Geffen. The once financially comfortable woman who became a servant to some of the world’s poorest people—that is the story of Mother Teresa. It happens, you know. Little known people DO become celebrities sometimes, whether they like it or not.
Then the big day arrives. Praises are shouted from all around Jesus as he rides into Jerusalem on a colt. People throw down their cloaks before him. It had to be heart-warming to Jesus to look out over the crowds and feel the love of so many people.
I can imagine Jesus seeing some of the people whose lives he had touched directly, and wondering how many people’s lives he had touched indirectly. Sure Jesus was fully divine; but Jesus was also fully human. This entrance to Jerusalem had to be a huge "feel good" moment for him.
Life is good when everybody loves you, isn’t it? If you’ve ever led a life-changing Bible study, negotiated a major deal to the satisfaction of everyone involved, preached a good sermon, put together a fabulous Easter musical, and people recognize you, it’s a good feeling. If your success continues, eventually it feels like everyone wants a piece of you. It seems you can do no wrong. Even your mistakes are seen as "innovative experiments." Life is not only good-it’s great!
But, the major difference between Jesus and us in this respect is that he also knew this moment wouldn’t last. He knew that many of the same people who were shouting, "Hosanna!" today would be shouting, "Crucify him!" in just a few short days. What they say about Hollywood was probably true in Jerusalem as well: "People in Hollywood are always touching you—not because they like you, but because they want to see how soft you are before they eat you alive."
This is where our third "G"—gossip—comes in. There was always a certain amount of gossip that surrounded Jesus: "Who is this that even the wind and sea obey him?" "Who is this that even forgives sins?" "Who is this? He speaks with such authority!" Indeed, who IS this?
We can begin to understand at least a little more about who Jesus is though the symbolism in today’s Gospel reading. First, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a colt that has never been ridden. Some scholars say that this choice of animal points to the humility of Jesus. However, other scholars say that since in the Old Testament, Solomon rode a colt before his coronation has king of Israel, this choice of animal points to the kingship of Jesus Christ.
Why can’t it be both? Why does it have to be either/or? Why can’t Jesus be the king who comes not to bring war, but who comes in humility to bring peace?
Did you notice that there are no palm branches mentioned in today’s Gospel reading? Why is that? It could be another indication of the person and work of Jesus Christ.
It is said that at one point in Jewish history, that Palestine was under foreign rule, when a series of Jewish military actions defeated the occupation force and liberated the land. When the Jewish people entered the Temple, they waved branches, which quickly became symbols of Jewish independence.
The point here is Luke could be urging his readers to not think of the church as a community that will rise up in military rebellion against Rome. The placing of cloaks before Jesus’ path was symbolic of acknowledging the arrival of a new ruler. So, Jesus IS a ruler, but he is a different kind of a ruler.
And that’s when the gossip mill goes out of control.
Jesus comes to Jerusalem with a ragtag group of followers—not with a trained military AND religious elite who are "packin’ heat". I can hear some of the crowd now: "It’s all good, Don’t worry. They’re just bein’ cool about the whole thing. This is just a diversionary move. The reinforcements will slip in at night when no one is looking. You just wait."
But as the week progresses, the crowd mentality changes. Jesus overturns tables in the Temple! Jesus challenges the RELIGIOUS establishment, not Roman authority! What’s probably worse is there is even division in Jesus’ own entourage. Betrayal, denial, and desertion.
Jesus went from "feelin’ the love" on Sunday to feeling the crucifying rage on Friday. Why? I think this change occurred because Jesus did not live up to anyone’s expectations—not the crowd, the religious leaders, and not even his own disciples! Jesus lived up to GOD’S expectations—and that is what got him killed.
What about us? What do we do when Jesus doesn’t live up to all the glitz and glamour we expect of him? What do we do when we expect Jesus to swoop in and take care of all the oppression, pain, and hurt in our lives in dramatic fashion worthy of an Oscar nomination, and instead Jesus shows up in our lives as stage hand who challenges our preconceived notions of what is right and what is wrong? And even worse, what if Jesus tells us that WE who call ourselves Christians are actually part of the problem in the first place?
Do we shout "Hosanna!" or do we shout "Crucify him!"
Are we ready to let Jesus be Jesus? Are we ready to accept the fact that Jesus Christ does not fit anyone’s—and that includes OUR--preconceived notions of what it means to be the Way the Truth, and the Life?
If we are, then let’s get ready for some major changes. I say "changes," because Jesus is not about the 3 "G’s" of glitter, glamour, and gossip. Jesus is about the 3 "G’s" of grace, giving, and goodness. And the "3 G’s of Jesus" are neither cheap, nor short-term.
We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus gave of himself until there was nothing left to give. The goodness of Jesus cannot be compared to anyone before his earthly existence, nor after it.
While we can never duplicate the grace, giving, and goodness of Jesus Christ, it is these examples of his life that compel us to change our behavior. That is, if we take Jesus seriously. Making these changes means moving beyond giving Jesus the Hero’s Welcome on Sunday only, to making Jesus Christ a part of our daily lives—as boring as some of us may consider them.
The life of Jesus Christ is a life we are called to emulate. It is through Jesus Christ that we can begin to move from the shallowness of a live lived in and for glitz, glamour, and gossip to the fullness of a live lived in grace, giving, and goodness.
It is through Jesus Christ that we can do all these things.
And THAT is something to shout about!
Amen?
God bless you, and amen.
The conversations at some of these home (or dormitory, or bar) awards parties can be quite interesting, too. "Oh no she did NOT wear THAT outfit to the Oscars!" "Oooooo, I thought she was seeing THIS man, and now she shows up at the awards with that WOMAN!" And who does he think HE is? Is that girl he’s with even legal age?" Glitter, glamour, and gossip. The 3 G’s of the Hollywood red carpet treatment.
Today we are looking at the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. It is a day of loud "Hosanna’s!" "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!" It is a day of red carpet treatment. It is a day of glitter, glamour, and gossip. It is a day that marks—quite literally—the beginning of one "hell" of a week for Jesus Christ.
Well, that last comment was certainly an interesting way to enter into a sermon, wasn’t it? After all, isn’t this particular Sunday supposed to be all glitz and glamour? Then, we come back next week for the greatest news of all history!
Well, that’s partially true. There is a lot of joy in today’s reading, and we can’t deny that next week marks what should be a huge celebration of what Christians believe is the greatest news of all time.
But there is a whole lot that happens in the week in-between these two events—a lot of stuff that we would just as soon not think about. So many of us go from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday without missing a beat. But today, I am going to attempt to take us a little deeper than the glitz, glamour, and gossip of Palm Sunday.
In today’s lesson there is certainly a lot of glitz and glamour. Jesus arrives in Jerusalem with lots of fanfare. Like of lot of celebrities, I imagine Jesus’ growing celebrity reputation somewhat preceded him.
The disciples did some additional advance PR work under Jesus’ direction by arranging for appropriate transportation. We really don’t know if the person who gave his colt to the disciples knew WHO the disciples meant when they told him, "the Lord needs it;" but I can imagine word got around pretty fast that SOMEONE important was coming to Jerusalem for Passover.
Of course there is no one EXACTLY like Jesus—not then, and not now. But we can draw a few parallels. The office boy who becomes a media mogul—that is the story of David Geffen. The once financially comfortable woman who became a servant to some of the world’s poorest people—that is the story of Mother Teresa. It happens, you know. Little known people DO become celebrities sometimes, whether they like it or not.
Then the big day arrives. Praises are shouted from all around Jesus as he rides into Jerusalem on a colt. People throw down their cloaks before him. It had to be heart-warming to Jesus to look out over the crowds and feel the love of so many people.
I can imagine Jesus seeing some of the people whose lives he had touched directly, and wondering how many people’s lives he had touched indirectly. Sure Jesus was fully divine; but Jesus was also fully human. This entrance to Jerusalem had to be a huge "feel good" moment for him.
Life is good when everybody loves you, isn’t it? If you’ve ever led a life-changing Bible study, negotiated a major deal to the satisfaction of everyone involved, preached a good sermon, put together a fabulous Easter musical, and people recognize you, it’s a good feeling. If your success continues, eventually it feels like everyone wants a piece of you. It seems you can do no wrong. Even your mistakes are seen as "innovative experiments." Life is not only good-it’s great!
But, the major difference between Jesus and us in this respect is that he also knew this moment wouldn’t last. He knew that many of the same people who were shouting, "Hosanna!" today would be shouting, "Crucify him!" in just a few short days. What they say about Hollywood was probably true in Jerusalem as well: "People in Hollywood are always touching you—not because they like you, but because they want to see how soft you are before they eat you alive."
This is where our third "G"—gossip—comes in. There was always a certain amount of gossip that surrounded Jesus: "Who is this that even the wind and sea obey him?" "Who is this that even forgives sins?" "Who is this? He speaks with such authority!" Indeed, who IS this?
We can begin to understand at least a little more about who Jesus is though the symbolism in today’s Gospel reading. First, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a colt that has never been ridden. Some scholars say that this choice of animal points to the humility of Jesus. However, other scholars say that since in the Old Testament, Solomon rode a colt before his coronation has king of Israel, this choice of animal points to the kingship of Jesus Christ.
Why can’t it be both? Why does it have to be either/or? Why can’t Jesus be the king who comes not to bring war, but who comes in humility to bring peace?
Did you notice that there are no palm branches mentioned in today’s Gospel reading? Why is that? It could be another indication of the person and work of Jesus Christ.
It is said that at one point in Jewish history, that Palestine was under foreign rule, when a series of Jewish military actions defeated the occupation force and liberated the land. When the Jewish people entered the Temple, they waved branches, which quickly became symbols of Jewish independence.
The point here is Luke could be urging his readers to not think of the church as a community that will rise up in military rebellion against Rome. The placing of cloaks before Jesus’ path was symbolic of acknowledging the arrival of a new ruler. So, Jesus IS a ruler, but he is a different kind of a ruler.
And that’s when the gossip mill goes out of control.
Jesus comes to Jerusalem with a ragtag group of followers—not with a trained military AND religious elite who are "packin’ heat". I can hear some of the crowd now: "It’s all good, Don’t worry. They’re just bein’ cool about the whole thing. This is just a diversionary move. The reinforcements will slip in at night when no one is looking. You just wait."
But as the week progresses, the crowd mentality changes. Jesus overturns tables in the Temple! Jesus challenges the RELIGIOUS establishment, not Roman authority! What’s probably worse is there is even division in Jesus’ own entourage. Betrayal, denial, and desertion.
Jesus went from "feelin’ the love" on Sunday to feeling the crucifying rage on Friday. Why? I think this change occurred because Jesus did not live up to anyone’s expectations—not the crowd, the religious leaders, and not even his own disciples! Jesus lived up to GOD’S expectations—and that is what got him killed.
What about us? What do we do when Jesus doesn’t live up to all the glitz and glamour we expect of him? What do we do when we expect Jesus to swoop in and take care of all the oppression, pain, and hurt in our lives in dramatic fashion worthy of an Oscar nomination, and instead Jesus shows up in our lives as stage hand who challenges our preconceived notions of what is right and what is wrong? And even worse, what if Jesus tells us that WE who call ourselves Christians are actually part of the problem in the first place?
Do we shout "Hosanna!" or do we shout "Crucify him!"
Are we ready to let Jesus be Jesus? Are we ready to accept the fact that Jesus Christ does not fit anyone’s—and that includes OUR--preconceived notions of what it means to be the Way the Truth, and the Life?
If we are, then let’s get ready for some major changes. I say "changes," because Jesus is not about the 3 "G’s" of glitter, glamour, and gossip. Jesus is about the 3 "G’s" of grace, giving, and goodness. And the "3 G’s of Jesus" are neither cheap, nor short-term.
We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus gave of himself until there was nothing left to give. The goodness of Jesus cannot be compared to anyone before his earthly existence, nor after it.
While we can never duplicate the grace, giving, and goodness of Jesus Christ, it is these examples of his life that compel us to change our behavior. That is, if we take Jesus seriously. Making these changes means moving beyond giving Jesus the Hero’s Welcome on Sunday only, to making Jesus Christ a part of our daily lives—as boring as some of us may consider them.
The life of Jesus Christ is a life we are called to emulate. It is through Jesus Christ that we can begin to move from the shallowness of a live lived in and for glitz, glamour, and gossip to the fullness of a live lived in grace, giving, and goodness.
It is through Jesus Christ that we can do all these things.
And THAT is something to shout about!
Amen?
God bless you, and amen.
posted by Rev. Danny Spears at 2:15 PM
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