Hosanna?
Palm Sunday A
April 5, 2020
Grace, Waseca, MN
Matthew 21.1-11
Who are you in this text, the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem? With whom do you most identify? Maybe you are one in the crowd who have been following Jesus. You’ve been with him for some time and see him as the “real deal.” You believe that he is the Messiah, the one coming into the world. Perhaps you’re one of the disciples who not only cheer, but faithfully obey Jesus’ instructions, trusting that it will be as you find it. Or, because you know the story, you might identify with cranky religious leaders lying in wait, upset at Jesus and the following he draws.
You could even put yourself in Jesus’ place, knowing that you have a firm hand on the events that will follow.
I like to think I’d be one of the disciples in the crowd, waving my palm and shouting “Hosanna!” right along with the rest of them. However, when I’m honest with myself, it’s more likely I’m in the city watching dispassionately, wondering how this is going to go. Partly, it’s because I’m wired that way.
Florence was an elderly member of the call committee in a previous congregation I served. She was in the gettin up there in years, but her mind was sharp as ever. In fact, she was well read and probably knew more theology than most pastors. I’m convinced that if she had lived two generations later, she could have been a bishop of this church or a teaching theologian or both. Her task on the call committee was to talk to the bishop about me and get a reference. In one of our many conversations she mentioned this, along with something the bishop said: “If you are looking for a rah-rah pastor to stir things up, don’t call Scott. But call him if you are looking for a steadying presence in the congregation.” Obviously, that must have been what the congregation wanted because I received the call.
Aside from the way we are wired, not many of us are in a “rah-rah” mood right now with the COVID-19 threat hanging over us. Even so, if I’d lived 2,000 years ago, I would probably have had a hopeful agnosticism toward Jesus. By that I mean I would be skeptical about Jesus being the Messiah, wary of getting too hopeful. I would have waited to see how things played out. Besides, there had already been people claiming to be the Messiah, who had disappointed the people. It would have been evident that his entry into Jerusalem indicated some kind of victory procession, but what was the victory?
We’d love for Jesus to come and obliterate COVID-19, but we know that’s not how God works. We also know that the cheers of the crowds that first Palm Sunday will turn into jeers in a breathtaking short time, going from “Hosanna” to “Crucify him!” We know that Jesus will overcome the powers of sin, death and evil, but in a way totally unexpected. Fortunately, how Jesus ultimately becomes the Messiah doesn’t depend on what I think or feel or do. The good news is that Jesus came into the world to be the king we need, not the king we want. He’s not the king we desire, but the one we must have.
For those of you who are able to be enthusiastic and wave imaginary palm branches today, God bless you and thank you, because you’re going to have to carry the rest of us. For those of you who are normally enthusiastic but can’t muster the energy, know that we who are steady will carry you. And know that wherever you are in the story and on your faith journey, Jesus meets you where you are and gives you what you need. For blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven. Amen.
To view the service with the sermon click here.
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