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Text: Luke 19:28-42 (also in Mark 11; Matthew 21; John 12) * The narrative we are considering today is a scene which inaugurates a series of events which we call the “Passion Week” (Even the word ‘passion’ sounds appealing in a culture that’s so fickle and indifferent). * The word ‘passion’ in Webster’s means… …“intense feelings which often proved to be an obstacle to rational behavior; a strong inclination (moving us toward something) that moves the mind and will to action.” * When someone is “passionate”, they… … are FOCUSED (not easily distracted), … are PURPOSEFUL (life becomes clear; they live with a sense of mission and purpose), … DO THINGS WE WOULD CONSIDER ‘ABNORMAL’ (not just weird, but out of the ordinary), … are ENERGIZED (not easily fatigued). * We would assume that the actions being considered then are “highly motivated” and will tell us something significant about the person acting them out. Read: Luke 19:28-42 * In this narrative, Jesus is moving purposefully toward Jerusalem. His actions appear much more intentional and orchestrated. Very different posture than we have seen previously (didn’t want people to say anything about what he had done). * To appreciate this scene, it is important to understand the socio-political climate that Jesus is confronting. - Political atmosphere would be volatile (to say the least) at this time of year. Security would be heightened and the Roman’s efforts to quash any semblance of revolt would be quick and decisive. * They are preparing to celebrate “Passover”- commemorating their liberation from Egypt. Not only would the sheer number of Jews present in Jerusalem be higher, the sense of national pride would be at a fever pitch. “zealots” (mostly from poorer class)- believed that force was the only appropriate means of securing the kingdom (after all, they had nothing to lose!) * Jews had long awaited a “Messiah”; someone to liberate them and finally establish his rule and set things to rights! The palm branches represent the “red carpet” treatment (treating him like royalty). Matthew’s account indicates that the people are identifying Jesus as the “Son of David” (the prophets had envisioned someone like David, the greatest king of Israel) who would come and establish his rule forever! Matthew’s account also sees such action as a fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9… “See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” * We are not told which (2) are selected, but they are about to carry out the first “car jacking” on historical record! Remember, the donkey is the ‘SUV’ of first century Palestine. What do you think they’re talking about on the way to the village? (like someone saying… “Go out to the Mall and right outside the Macy’s door you’ll find a car running with a guy standing outside of it…just take it and tell them that the Lord needs it!) * What do you suppose they were thinking when they actually saw it? (You go untie it, dude, I’ll wait here.) I think this was the first occasion for the “Paper, Rock, Scissors” game! They see it tied up and as they are untying it, they are busted by the owner…”Dude, that’s my donkey!?” (that was going to be the title of the message!) * Jesus was not only a king, but a prophet. He was very conscious of his role. Prophets not only spoke, they acted. They would often dramatize their message to make their point. * They are hailing Jesus as “king” (the Romans had a tendency to “frown” on this type of behavior). For the Romans, Caesar was the “big” king of the empire of “little” kings (Herods). IS HE SERIOUS? IS HE POKING FUN AT HIMSELF? IS HE JUST ACCOMMODATING THE CROWD? * Luke 18:31 was the (6th) time Jesus has predicted his death in the book of Luke alone. Although most who followed Him were oblivious to the implications and didn’t fully understand what was about to transpire. They couldn’t understand how all this talk of death and suffering could possibly be the means of establishing his kingdom. * With all the noise and commotion, this was bound to get someone’s attention. * As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, he’s traveling with his own ‘entourage’; his own ‘posse’ as well as the masses who are caught up in the Messiah-frenzy. * Picture the Roman soldiers commissioned to keep the peace during this very volatile celebration. They hear the rumors and ride out to meet the masses approaching and get a glimpse of their king. What do they see? Jesus’ “posse” was less than intimidating! No weapons, just palm branches. This “so-called” King’s subjects consisted of the poor, the blind, the lame, the morally suspect, the widowed, women, children…all with little or no redeeming value in society. * I would identify them as the LAME, the LOST and the LOSERS! LAME- literally and figuratively. People who were marginalized and often alienated from the religious community. LOST- people who couldn’t find their way; people whose “own way” had them led toward self-destruction. LOSER- those without privilege or leverage (i.e. widows, orphans, the poor). * And their King? He’s crying! (no “Homecoming” wave; no photo-opps; no autographs… crying!) * Jesus knows what the crowd is expecting, so instead of the “Whitehorse” entrance (typical of a conquering warrior), he requested a donkey…a sign of a king coming in peace; * As they are approaching Jerusalem, this is not the sedate little crowd who would line the streets for the Holiday Parade. This has all the indications of an uprising…a mob scene. Jesus understood something about “mob-psychology”. They weren’t interested in being divided into groups for a sack lunch and a bible story…they wanted action! They are tired, oppressed, impatient and ready to ride Jesus into town as their Messiah…their King! What they lack in military training, they are certain they make up for in national sentiment. “He’s got to get a grip! If we’re going to maintain this momentum, he’s gotta stop bawling like that!” * Jesus laments… (42-44) "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They 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." * Jesus was offering a different way of peace. It’s not the way of compromise with the powers that be, or the way of disassociation, or the way of violent overthrow… it’s the way of the Kingdom of Heaven. The meaning that Jesus attaches to the triumphal entry seems less than triumphant. Reflections… ►You can’t have God on your own terms. …THEY WANTED A PROPHET WHO WOULD PREDICT THEIR DELIVERANCE, INSTEAD, HE WARNS OF DESTRUCTION. …THEY WANTED A LEADER TO TAKE UP THEIR CAUSE; INSTEAD, THEY GOT A KING WHO TAKES UP A CROSS! …THEY WANTED A DELIVERER; SOMEONE TO SAVE THEM FROM THE EVIL CONTROL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. INSTEAD, JESUS WOULD OFFER TO SAVE THEM FROM THEMSELVES; TO LIBERATE THEIR HEARTS; TO DELIVER THEM FROM THE INFLUENCE OF EVIL WITHIN AND THE LIMITATIONS THAT IT HAS PLACED ON THEM. ►When God fails us, we stop cheering for Him! When Jesus fails to live up to our expectations, we quickly abandon him and consider that he’s too risky; not sure if he can be trusted. He’s just not what we expected! Our devotion gets reduced to some public gestures of allegiance, but in our hearts, we’ve already abandoned him! ►When we fail Him, he weeps for us! He wept not for himself; not even for the sheer agony awaiting him…but for the fate of all of those who would refuse to embrace the opportunity to experience him as “king”. “kingdom”- the range of one’s effective will; it’s where life is done according to the king. We all have our own kingdoms; they collide with God and each other! * Which begs the obvious question… “If Jesus IS king, then what?” ● First of all, we would have to admit that he’s like no other king we have ever encountered. He doesn’t rule with intimidation or overpower his subjects. He serves; he surrenders his own life for the good of those who choose to live in his kingdom. ● He would have to depose the previous ruler. 2 Corinthians 4:4 “…god of this world…” John 12:31 “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But, when I am lifted up, I will draw all men to myself” 1 John 3:8 “The reason the son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work”. ● It would require that we as kingdom participants would live in such a way that best reflects the desires of the king; the way that he anticipates life to function. ►You can’t come after Him without going with Him! He’s easy to find, just not easy to follow. And, you can’t just follow him from a distance; you can’t just be part of the onlookers watching the parade go by. We’re often ready to follow as long as there are no real demands; few expectations. v.37 “…the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:” * Jesus knew that a cross awaited him. You don’t do the kind of things Jesus did on Palm Sunday and expect to get away with it. His actions during the passion week were not just historical…they were cosmic! * Jesus was becoming King; he was establishing a kingdom; a revolution of individuals. He will teach them to pray for the kingdom to be established in the earth right now. Not as it is imposed upon them or legislated, but as his kingdom servants establish his rule in their own lives. * The revolutionaries will meet together (establish “sleeper cells”), in homes and in churches, to celebrate their king and plot ways to be unexpectedly merciful; to be lovers of justice and agents to the poor and hungry; executing deeds of reconciliation.
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