Palm Sunday – Sermon 263

Palm Sunday
10.00am Holy Communion
20th March 2016

Prayer to start

May the words of my lips and the thoughts of our hearts be graciously received for the Glory and Honour of our Lord Jesus Christ

AMEN

Introduction

Many films, plays and real life episodes on our TV’s reach their climax when key people arrive at destinations or – if separated – for some time – come together at last – for good or for ill –

We meet at last ‘Mr Bond’, declares the evil villain – with an ugly smile – believing he finally has the secret agent in his power –

‘Can it really be you’ – exclaims characters in Shakespeare’s plays and T.V dramas –

‘It’s good to see you at last’ – we might say to long separated family members or friends –

In the scenes depicted by our readings we see Jesus and His disciples arriving in Jerusalem and coming together with many different people – that play key parts in the unfolding drama and climax that is Holy Week –

Some have remained in the background like Pilate and Herod – and now come to the fore –

And others whether good or bad – who never expected or thought they would ever have a role to play –were chosen and used – by God to bring His Gospel message to the world and to help ensure Jesus’ journey to the cross – achieves its aims –

Point 1         Jesus chooses His colt

The story of Palm Sunday begins with exchanges between the disciples and the Pharisees and Jesus’ journey into Jerusalem –

Jesus was by this time a marked man and the disciples knew it –He chose two of them – and sends them ahead to select His colt for his journey into the city –

For Jesus it’s a royal occasion – that needs to be carefully planned and staged – so as to make exactly the right point –

It wasn’t the first time Jesus had been to Bethany – and the animal he chose – fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah (9:9) – was organized beforehand – and like the tomb He would use a week later – had never been used before –

Everything that Jesus said to the disciples – about the finding of the colt unfolded –the predicted exchange with the owner took place – to make sure that the right animal was selected–

 and when they brought the donkey back to Jesus –they threw their cloaks upon it – for Jesus to sit on – and the journey begins –

The people picked up the theme and – as a form of royal celebration – and spread their cloaks on the road in front of Him –

Down they all went – on the steep path to the Kidron Valley – the crowds starting to sing – a song of victory and praise to God – that all pilgrims sang on their way to Jerusalem –

They were heralding the King of peace – or hoping for a warrior king – who would win them military victory –

Jesus was coming as the fulfillment of the nation’s hopes – answering their longings for a king who would bring peace to earth from heaven itself –

But even within the euphoria of Jesus’ spectacular entrance into the city – even in this moment of Joy and celebration – some grumblers were there – the Pharisees – wanting to stop what was going on –

When they approached Him – Jesus acknowledged that such praise was inevitable – and unstoppable –

His entrance into the city was more than just a parade – more than a celebration – it was an announcement of the nature of God’ s Kingdom –

Jesus is the Saviour of the whole world – and not just of one nation -and He knew that one day the whole of creation – would acknowledge this too. –

Point 2      Jesus and Pilate

In our Gospel reading we have the meeting between Jesus and Pilate – We also have the coming together of Pilate and Herod –

‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ says Pilate – ‘If you say so’ says Jesus

It was clear to Pilate that Jesus was not leading the sort of revolution normally spear-headed by ‘would be kings of the Jews’ – his followers were only lightly armed – and in any case had run away

Jesus had made no threats – put up no resistance – He said hardly anything –

Herod too – who played such a major part in the death of John the Baptist  – could find no reason for the charges against Him – yet He treated Jesus with contempt –

but both of them could see that the main reason for Jesus being before them was because the Chief Priests and their associates wanted to be rid of Him –

Jesus was caught between competing interests – not only the sins of those present – but also the aspirations of the political world -were conspiring to put Him on the cross –

The fact that Jesus was innocent didn’t come into it.  In Roman law failure to give a defense would give Pilate no option but to find Him guilty –

Pilate tries again wanting to release Jesus – this time by turning to the crowd that had assembled – he offers to set someone free – but the crowd kept demanding with shouts – that Jesus should be crucified – and the revolutionary Barabbas released instead –

Pilate must have thought he was between a rock and a hard place – eventually he gave Jesus over to their demands and – the voices of those opposing Jesus – prevailed.

Both Pilate and Herod – while realizing what was happening  – chose to allow Jesus – though innocent – to take the place of someone who had committed real crimes –

Barabbas the true sinner – is set free and Jesus who stands for peace, justice and love endures His punishment

Here we see the whole purpose of the Gospel – that under the condemnation of sin both – great and small- we are invited to see ourselves in the figure of Barabbas – who is set free to begin again – and Jesus who has committed no sin – takes our place and endures our punishment –

In this way – through Jesus – God overrules and reaches out over all human justice whether just or unjust and shows mercy – not only by sharing but also by substituting for the sinners fate.

Point 3         Journey to a lifetime

Jesus’ journey to the cross moves on towards the crucifixion itself – with many people again playing a part –

There’s Simon of Cyrene – who carries Jesus’ cross behind Him.

Criminals on their way to execution normally carried the cross piece of their own cross but here we have a demonstration of someone else taking up the cross and following Jesus – whether this is because Jesus couldn’t carry it himself is not clear – but on several occasions throughout the Gospel Jesus urged His followers to take up their cross and follow Him – and here we have Simon of Cyrene becoming the model and the sign for all those who will do just that.

The crowds – including women who were mourning – were deeply concerned about Jesus but feeling helpless – Jesus tells them not to weep for Him – but to weep for themselves because of the impending disaster that is coming their way – when the Romans will rip Jerusalem apart –

Following Jesus is not enough – if all it leads to is a passive acceptance of evil – like the people in this story – we – all too often accept what is going on around us – and do nothing more than stand and watch –

But at the heart of the picture of the cross is the mocking of Jesus as King – the rulers and soldiers unite at jeering at Jesus – now He appears helpless and hopeless – and all the claims about Him seem to be proved false.  Jesus’ prayer for them does nothing to move them –

Of the two criminals crucified with Jesus – one does no more than echo the insults of the others –  but the second acknowledges the truth and his own guilt.  He reaches out to Jesus as best he can and receives a wonderful response. –

Because of the darkness that Jesus endured for us on the cross – there is a way to God as Father – through Jesus – for all who are prepared and willing to come humbly to Him in faith –

Ending

Many different people were around at the time of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem and His crucifixion – responding in different ways – to His presence and His message of love – Who do we find it easiest to identify with?

When we come together at last with Jesus- what will our response be?

are we obedient to the masters wishes – willing to be a model or blessing for future generations – or knowing the truth – indifferent or none committal – allowing outside forces to dictate our actions –

Yes the crucifixion of Jesus – really did happen – and it wasn’t a mistake – the crowd standing by went home shocked and sad – but from this low – came a new joy and blessing that defeated evil and transformed mankind’s behaviour and their understanding of God forever –

Prayer      

AMEN