10 Apr PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2022
Matthew, Mark and John use the word, “Hosanna” in their written accounts of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Luke does not. He avoids it. For just a minute, let’s focus on the word Hosanna’s origin. It is Greek via late Latin, a created abbreviation of rabbinic Hebrew that means, “Save us, we pray.”
Most years, Palm Sunday readings encourage congregations to shout “Hosanna.” We equate the word with words of praise that follow it in scripture when all this time, we haven’t had a clue what we were really saying. Even I forgot what Hosanna meant after looking it up last year at this time and mentioning it aloud.
Repeating the word, “Hosanna,” will begin our time of confession and forgiveness. Say the word as you wave palm branches and process, those who wish to parade around the sanctuary. Once we settle, we’ll listen to Luke, chapter 19 up until the point where we all read aloud what’s printed in bold. Got it? Everyone will repeat the word Hosanna while waving a palm branch. Use whatever volume you like as long as you concentrate on what you’re saying, “Save us, we pray.”
This Sunday, the gospel lesson will be read by the congregation, in parts. After reading one paragraph by pew or section, I’ll offer very short reflections instead of delivering a sermon at the end. So when it’s your turn to read aloud, read a paragraph then please pause. Let’s begin…
When the hour came, [Jesus] took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. 22For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” 23Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this.
Lesson One. Contemplation is good. It requires time, allowing one to consider what is fate and what is choice. Contemplation includes consulting with God before committing one’s thoughts to action.
When the hour came, not a moment before nor after the appointed time, Jesus took his place. The apostles also took theirs, around Jesus and among each other. As Jesus spoke, he contemplated suffering and death. He expressed eagerness to be in good company while doing so, knowing the events of the day would have far flung consequences.
The kingdom of God and likewise, God’s plan will be fulfilled, realized, made real and accomplished. Coming together around bread and wine held value as an occasion to mark God’s presence, to remember the sacrifice of body and blood.
As Jesus literally gives thanks, becomes broken and is poured out, he offers this warning. I know one of you is contemplating acting out. “Don’t do it,” he says. “Reconsider. The fallout for you will be devastating. You’re not going to change my fate.” The disciples begin considering whether it could be any of them. Contemplation is good, requires time, allows one to consider our potential for either good or evil, what is fate and what is choice.
24A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25But he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. 27For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28“You are those who have stood by me in my trials; 29and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, 30so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Lesson Two. Contemplation can lead to elevation or diminishment of one’s ego, causing inner conflict or outward dispute. Comparison leads the disciples to thoughts of being worse or better than. Jesus uses their way of thinking to his advantage. If you want to compare, let me remind you that your king and benefactor is not like earthly authorities. In fact, your orientation must flip. Egos have no place at my table, only disciples willing to serve. Those who have stood by me in time of trial will have conferred upon them a kingdom. “Oh, goodie,” the disciples say. And sit on thrones as judges. “Yippee,” says the twelve. As I was saying, “Contemplation can lead to either elevation or diminishment of one’s ego.”
31“Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33And he said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!” 34Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.”
Observation. Jesus uses supernatural ability to perceive future events while they’re still only ideas. Sometimes he even shares them aloud. Satan had an idea to sift the disciples like wheat. Jesus intercedes through prayer and direct communication. In advance, Jesus knows what challenges are being contemplated by the adversary.
He prays, asking that our faith may not fail, knowing it will. Then he assures his disciples that they will turn back, the definition of repentance. His hope is that we’ll use our failure to strengthen others. Simon puts on a great show of loyalty in hopes of assuring Jesus. But Jesus assures his disciple, using his clairvoyant power to share God’s vision of reality.
35He said to them, “When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “No, not a thing.” 36He said to them, “But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. 37For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was counted among the lawless’; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.” 38They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” He replied, “It is enough.”
Lesson Three. This passage reminds us that time changes things. What was once deemed necessary may no longer be. We must be the ones to adapt. Somewhere hidden in this message is also this:Consult God when instructions seem confusing.
39He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. 40When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” 41Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” 43⟦Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.⟧ 45When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, 46and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”
Lesson Four ties into Lesson One. Prayer can make the difference between fate and choice. Jesus tells disciples to pray to not come into a time of trial, to not enter temptation and to be delivered from evil. Jesus knelt down and prayed. May I remind you that both churches now have a kneeling bench?
47While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; 48but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” 49When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” 50Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. 52Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? 53When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!”
Lessons Five through Eight. Have good intentions when you approach another person. Wait for God’s answer if your inclination is to do harm. Jesus wants to heal and once again, calls it like it is, the very way he saw, in advance, that things would unfold.
54Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. 55When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.” 57But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” 60But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62And he went out and wept bitterly.
Lesson Nine. Curiosity only pays off sometimes. People like the servant-girl are entitled to call things as they see them, like Jesus. Doing so may or may not prove helpful, but speaking truth from a close vantage point is often how God reveals hard facts. Jesus doesn’t say, “I told you so.” Upon realizing how right he is and wrong we are, his nearby presence and look alone may cause us, like Peter, to run from his presence and start to weep.
63Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; 64they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” 65They kept heaping many other insults on him.
Observation. As someone once said, “People can be cruel.”
66When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. 67They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; 68and if I question you, you will not answer. 69But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70All of them asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say that I am.” 71Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!”
Lesson Ten. Righteous people shouldn’t band together to cause harm. People who ask questions sometimes don’t want to hear the real answer, don’t wait for answers or as Jesus said, don’t “believe” what they’re told, even from the source of truth.
1Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. 2They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” 3Then Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered, “You say so.” 4Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” 5But they were insistent and said, “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.”
Observation. Notice how Pilate only picked up one one of the three accusations made against Jesus. Notice how stirring up the people by teaching throughout an ever increasing geographic region is deemed most threatening of all Jesus’ supposed doings. Where people focus their attention, they’ll tend to focus their efforts.
6When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. 9He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. 12That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.
Observation. Nothing wrong with asking yourself, “What is mine to do?” Like-minded people soon develop friendships. This can multiply the potential for either good or evil.
13Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16I will therefore have him flogged and release him.” 18Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!” 19(This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; 21but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.” 23But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. 24So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. 25He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.
Observation. For a moment, sanity almost won the day. Then mob mentality prevailed, convincing authorities to yield, causing the innocent to be taken into custody and put to death while the guilty ran free. Injustice is at the very core of evil doing.