April 13, 2025 Passion Sunday 6th Sunday of Lent
Readings: Luke 19:28-40, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Save Us
Today is a very paradoxical day. As I have said before, we have the choice on celebrating Palm Sunday with Jesus Triumphant entry to Jerusalem or the more somber approach as Passion Sunday because of what this week leads to, Jesus’ purpose for coming to earth. As your pastor, I alternate themes, so it gives you a more rounded understanding of this Sunday. Along with realizing his glory, we must also acknowledge his passion. Some pastors have found that when we celebrate His triumphant entrance to the city, when we reach Mandy Thursday and Good Friday, congregations become so depressed, they do not want to attend. We cannot, we must not go from the Celebration of Palm Sunday only to reach the celebration of Easter Resurrection. We must remember what it took to get to Easter. So, is it possible to recognize both Passion and Palm in one day? I think it is.
Last week you were given a break from the more solace attitude that we have been feeling this Lenten Season. My intention for today is to get us back to the atmosphere of the Lenten season. So many times, in church services we whoop it up on Palm Sunday with celebrations about the glorious entry only to have Good Friday hit us like a ton of bricks. That would be what the Disciples might have felt. We have been led to believe that for quite some time. We tend to forget about His Passion. However, last week Jesus told the disciples that he was going to die after Mary anointed him for burial. People of the town and some of the religious leaders who thought Jesus had been sent by God, warned Jesus not to go to Jerusalem because there were those plotting to kill him. I can imagine that John the Zealot thought he could protect Jesus, Peter even stated that he would not let anything happen to Jesus. They still wanted Jesus to conquer the tyranny from the Romans. The Pharisees told Jesus to quite these people down, The Romans were nearby and could retaliate with force if they had to. But we hear Jesus say that if the people were silent, the stones would cry out. I’ll bet that did not set well with them. But Jesus is repeating a passage from the Torah in Habakkuk 2:11 which states “A stone will cry out from the village wall, and a tree branch will respond”. This is referring that the truth will come out and the judgment will fall on evil doers. No matter what happens, the truth will come out and there is no way that the Pharisees can stop the actions of God. The Good News Jesus is bringing to the inhabitants of the Earth is stronger than they are. Even though they are planning His death, Jesus is stronger than the grave.
Matthew, Mark and Luke all have this scene in them, and they are very similar when Jesus came into the town on that Sunday, Luke however, does not tell us that they threw down Palm branches. He tells us the story about the donkey colt, about the people who threw their cloaks upon the ground, but nothing is said about Palm branches. They did exclaim “Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord”. For years I thought it was strictly a praise and giving glory to Jesus as he entered the gates. They yelled it for David as he entered Jerusalem as a conquering hero. When we sing hymns with Hosanna in the Highest, it is in a praise mode, and it still should be. There is more to it. The one thing that is little known about the word Hosanna, it is subtly referred to Save us. The people were exclaiming, Jesus Save us, Lord Save Us, You who come from and in the name of God Save us. When you think about in this context with King David, when he came into town, they would look for him to save them from the enemy that would want to enslave them. Getting back to the passage today, the people wanted Jesus to save them from the Romans, the overbearing Religious Leaders from them controlling their lives and livelihood. Remember, the people were paying taxes out the nose and the Sanhedrin was living off everything the common people were worth.
Just prior to Jesus’ entrance to Jerusalem in Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the Nobleman who became king and claiming his kingdom. He gives his servants 10 talents each and when he comes back, collects what he had given them. Two give back the talents and the dividends they brought. One hid the talents and gave back just the 10 talents. That servant is criticized and the talents taken away. Then we read, all who opposed this king was brought before him and killed. Why would Luke place this just prior to Jesus’ grand entrance? Well Jesus will give His life for all, even for those who oppose him. It is another paradox. Therefore, the Nobleman is not Jesus. Yet Jesus is coming to claim His kingdom, although it is not of this earth. Remember though, Jesus does not come into town wearing a crown. His crown comes later in the form of thorns. So, what was it that motivated all these people to welcome Jesus as a returning military conquering hero? It could have been nothing. Here comes this man on a donkey with the Disciples following him, so maybe this man is someone of importance. Maybe some where true believers, and were searching, hoping that if He touched the branches or cloaks it could bring them good fortune.
There is another side to the story on this Palm/Passion Sunday. How can the crowds go from praises and begging for salvation from the Romans and Religious Leaders, turn on Jesus and demand His crucifixion. How is that possible? We sit back in our church minded, wellbeing and wonder, how could they do that to him? Jesus after all they had seen, with so many miracles given to those in need. How could they turn their backs on Jesus? Our easy answer is well it was prophecy! While that is true, it is also a copout! Then there’s that was God’s plan. True again, but that takes any responsibility out of our hands. I sat back and wondered, if I had been there back then, how would I have reacted? We convince ourselves that, no, we would not have done that. But that is based on our response to what we know now. I would never turn my back on Jesus! But we do. We do every time we choose to sleep in as opposed to coming to worship. When we don’t speak about our salvation to someone who does not know Jesus. When we say we don’t have time for that ministry. There is more important things that I need to do. The list goes on and is more personal when you truly decide to be critically honest with God and yourself. It all revolves about selfishness. Yet Jesus knows that about you, and He was willing to receive the cheers on Palm Sunday at the same time never forgetting His Passion for the salvation of the world and your salvation. Even with our repeated mistakes, Jesus is willing to ride into our hearts and town to forgive you repeatedly. On that day in Jerusalem, Jesus did not say, not yet God, I want to do some more miracles, I want to bring more followers to myself, or God, I’m too tired right now, let’s do it later. There’s aways tomorrow God. But is there always tomorrow. Where is our passion? Where does our passion fall on this Palm/Passion Sunday?
Lastly, what are our motivations in this Palm/Passion Sunday. We do admit our motivations often get misplaced, distracted and either wrongly or too focused. We do have an idea of what we are doing and why we are here. Then again maybe we’re lost like some of the pilgrims coming into Jerusalem. Like them, we just don’t know. We need to be like the few that were there and truly glad to see Jesus the Prince of Peace, the Son of Man, the Son of God, The Savior of the world. Hosanna, Jesus save us, all. For you come in the name of the Lord.
