MAKING A STATEMENT

Palm Sunday

March 24, 2002

John 12: 12-19

"Hosanna" (Repeat) "Hosanna"

"Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord."

"Hosanna in the highest."

The palm branches were a natural part of entering Jerusalem for a festival; we sometimes think it was just for this one occasion, but it wasn’t. Singing Psalm 118 was also a part of the festival ritual – singing as they rounded the corner of the Mount of Olives, spotting the Temple on the hill across the Kidron Valley. The temple where the Holy of Holies was – God’s resided there. So, that wasn’t unusual either. What was unusual was the combining of these activities with the focus on Jesus the prophet as he entered Jerusalem. Many hoped that he might be the Messiah. They were making a statement of hope and longing.

This was not a triumphal entry, though we often call it that. Jesus hadn’t conquered anything yet. It was a group of followers participating in a spontaneous parade of entrance into Jerusalem for the Passover and Jesus the prophet entering the Holy City. Too often we make the mistake of making this entrance a "Pre Easter" party and we miss the point of the entire week.

But Jesus was also making a statement. Statements can be made without using words. The clothes we choose to wear make a statement – look at youth fashions. If you sign your name to a political ad supporting a particular candidate or position, you make a statement; and if it is published in the newspaper it is out there for everyone to read.

Sometimes we do something intentionally different from our friends to make a statement. I know a family who financially could afford a larger SUV, but they have chosen to drive older and more fuel-efficient automobiles because of their concern for the environment – save gas and eliminate pollution. It is an intentional act to state a belief or position. They are going against the flow, intentionally. They are making a statement in their quiet way.

There was a movement a few years ago when high school youth would take a public oath in front of their peers stating that they would refrain from sexual activity until they got married. They were making a public statement of their beliefs and values in contrast to many of their friends who have chosen a different life style. More power to them.

Jesus was making a statement when he entered Jerusalem on that day. It was subtle but very obvious. It was the custom of conquering generals of armies to enter their home city, or the conquered city, riding horses followed by their army and even captives in chains. Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem riding a donkey; he didn’t say anything, he just did it. A donkey is a work animal, a farm animal, the one that plows the fields and hauls the grain. It is a servant animal, not a war animal, not a symbol of power. Jesus was making a statement. He enters the Holy City not as a conquering general about to rout out the Romans and set up a powerful nation; rather he enters the city as a servant.

Didn’t he say something about, "the greatest of you will be servants of all." "I came not to be served but to serve." "The first shall be last and the last first." "Whoever would come after me, let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me. Forever who would save their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will save it." It says something about Jesus’ view of power and authority. If Jesus is Lord and King, he is not what we normally think.

Sometimes when we make a statement, we put ourselves in a position from which we cannot go back – we can’t take back the words or the stand we have taken. We have crossed the line. By Jesus entering Jerusalem as he did, he was crossing a line. He was making a statement that could not be taken back.

Jesus said, "I enter Jerusalem as a king, but not the king you think or want. You may celebrate with branches and garment, but I am not the hero you think you want." Jesus was making a statement to the religious authorities as well as the Roman government. Jesus is the Messiah, but not the way the leaders or the people thought; Jesus is King, but not the way the Roman government thought. Jesus’ reign is one of servanthood not power and might. The Kingdom - Reign- of God is about serving others in love and compassion, not who has the most power.

The question that was going through my mind this week was: what was it that Jesus was willing to die for? When he entered Jerusalem he knew that he was putting his life on the line; he was making a statement that would threaten Rome and the religious authorities. They were out to get him. He went anyway. What was he willing to die for? I’m not sure he was thinking about the forgiveness of our sins, as the church later proclaimed. I’m not sure he was thinking about taking on the sins of the world or fighting the devil. That was later church interpretation after the event.

What would you be willing to die for? That is pretty high stakes that we don’t take lightly. Young men and women entered the armed services in times of war, willing to die for country if need be, though they don’t look forward to it. Many a mother and father saw children off, never to see them again. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others have stood up for civil rights, knowing their life was on the line. Parent who have had children dying of a strange disease have said, "I would take their place if I could." Firefighters and police officers last September 11 answered the call in New York City to terrorist attacks, not aware of the disaster before them. What are we willing to die for?

What was it that Jesus was making a stand for that would cost him his life? He went in knowing; he did not enter Jerusalem with a big smile on his face. He entered Jerusalem with the pain and fear of rejection and death. What was it that motivated him? First, Jesus sensed that this was God’s will. But more than that, I believe that Jesus had a new vision of God and God’s Reign (Kingdom) that was revolutionary. It wasn’t based on power and might; it wasn’t based on control and authority; it wasn’t based on law. It was based on loving our neighbor, having compassion for those in need, forgiving those who have wronged us, helping those who are oppressed and are trampled on by others. The Reign of God is about all God’s people coming together not in a form based on laws and codes, but based on a relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior. God’s desire to be in relationship with us was enough to motivate Jesus to make that statement, to cross that line, to go to the cross.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus is constantly trying to redefine the relationship. "I am the living water; I am the bread of life; I am the good shepherd; I am the vine, you are the branches; I am the light of the world; I am the way, the truth and the life. I am the resurrection and the life." It is not the commandment of law but of love; it does not separate people (Jew-Gentile; slave-free; male-female) but it is inclusive.

God was trying to show us a new way in Jesus of Nazareth. Whatever it is that is ultimate, the most important, God, through Jesus is that. And it is so important that Jesus was willing to die for it. If you examine the Old Testament, the true prophets, those who passed the test of time and truth, were frequently persecuted. Those we call false prophets today were the ones then to whom the political leaders listened to; they were on the payroll.

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, I doubt he heard the crowd, maybe as a distant ringing in his ears. "If they only knew." "Do they know what they are saying?" "Are they ready to follow me?" Only later did they understand.

We have the advantage of history; we know the rest of the story. We know that Jesus was making a statement; he did cross the line; he was willing to pay the price to make God’s point.

The point is: the way of God is a new way, the way of Jesus Christ. The road is hard and the path narrow that leads to eternal life. The loving grace of God opens up to us a new life, a life of wholeness, peace, joy and love. But the road is costly. Are you willing to follow?