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And it’s in these moments when the only thing
that we can hold onto is hope. Hope for
the future. Hope for a change. Hope for a cure. Hope for a new and better life. We are all looking for something that tells us, “It’s going to be
ok. You can breathe now."
But the question is, “What do we put our hope in?” When life seems chaotic and you are not sure what the outcome will be, where do you turn for reassurance, for peace, for hope?
But the question is, “What do we put our hope in?” When life seems chaotic and you are not sure what the outcome will be, where do you turn for reassurance, for peace, for hope?
This Sunday is Palm Sunday. Chances are if you grew up in church, you remember the old Bible story about Jesus riding down on a donkey, and everybody throwing palm branches down on the road as He went by. But, what so many of us miss from this Sunday School story is the magnitude of this event. It was on that day, in this moment, when Jesus forced everyone, no matter their beliefs or backgrounds, to decide once and for all what they would put their hope in.
Here's what happened:
Here's what happened:
Six days before
Jesus’ death, on the first day of the Passover celebration, a procession begins
to enter Jerusalem. It was a grand celebration, reserved only for this sacred day. People are lining the roadway for miles just to get a glimpse at this historic moment. The excitement in the crowd swells as the beginning of the procession commences. In their jubilation, they shout phrases like, "Son of God, "Lord", "Savior", and "Peace on earth." It is a resounding statement to their undying loyalty to this man…this king. They are witnessing the procession of none other than the Roman army as
they enter the city of Jerusalem.
Pontius Pilate, the same man who will give Jesus up to the Jewish mob only six days later, leads this Roman procession. His troops march behind the man who represents Rome itself. They are rugged, muscular men in leather and newly polished steel. They keep cadence in loud, crunching steps. Pilate himself wears a flowing cape and shining armor. This is no minor squad on some routine errand that marches into Jerusalem. It is a parade of might meant to warn, but also to reinforce a city that is about to be occupied by upwards of 200,000 Jews as the enter the city to celebrate Passover.
Pontius Pilate, the same man who will give Jesus up to the Jewish mob only six days later, leads this Roman procession. His troops march behind the man who represents Rome itself. They are rugged, muscular men in leather and newly polished steel. They keep cadence in loud, crunching steps. Pilate himself wears a flowing cape and shining armor. This is no minor squad on some routine errand that marches into Jerusalem. It is a parade of might meant to warn, but also to reinforce a city that is about to be occupied by upwards of 200,000 Jews as the enter the city to celebrate Passover.
There is also a
religious purpose behind this procession as well. As Pilate rides into Jerusalem, he represents
a god...the emperor. In
fact, Caesar is “the Son of God,” according to the religion of the empire. He is praised as “lord,” “savior,” and the bringer of “peace on earth.”
This is the religion of the state. Pilate is a conqueror entering a conquered city. The people in Jerusalem belong to Rome. As the procession ends and the officers take their positions, the message is sent: “There will be no uprisings this week. A greater god rules: Tiberius Caesar, the Son of God. He is Lord, even over the god of Jerusalem.” Or so that’s what Rome thinks.
This is the religion of the state. Pilate is a conqueror entering a conquered city. The people in Jerusalem belong to Rome. As the procession ends and the officers take their positions, the message is sent: “There will be no uprisings this week. A greater god rules: Tiberius Caesar, the Son of God. He is Lord, even over the god of Jerusalem.” Or so that’s what Rome thinks.
On that same day,
another procession begins on the opposite side of the city. It too is a grand celebration. It too is scripted. It too signals the victory
of a God. Jesus is entering Jerusalem,
riding on a colt, as a large crowd lines the roadway. The colt is intended as a sign. Its use is not an accident or a last-minute
decision. It’s part of a very specific
statement; a declaration of war. By
Jesus riding a colt into the Holy City, he is conjuring up an extremely
familiar image to any Jew. King Solomon,
the last great king of Israel, rode just such an animal to his own coronation
as king. The image would also bring to mind to any good Jew the prophetic words of Zechariah:
“Rejoice greatly,
Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter
Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly
and riding on a donkey, on a colt.” (Zechariah 9:9)
It's a dangerous declaration: "A king has come, and he is even now among us."
And so it is in this spirit that Jesus makes his way down into Jerusalem. As the crowd grows to get a glimpse at this rabbi, this miracle-worker, they continue shouting their joy. And, in a time-honored tradition to welcome royalty, the people lay their robes and palm branches at the feet of Jesus. It is a carpet meant for a king…the Son of God. They are “preparing the way,” demonstrating to this man that they receive Him as their ruler. The passion swells; the excitement spreads, and soon this massive crowd begin chanting a verse of Scripture meant only for the coming Messiah, the Son of God. They shout, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9)
And so it is in this spirit that Jesus makes his way down into Jerusalem. As the crowd grows to get a glimpse at this rabbi, this miracle-worker, they continue shouting their joy. And, in a time-honored tradition to welcome royalty, the people lay their robes and palm branches at the feet of Jesus. It is a carpet meant for a king…the Son of God. They are “preparing the way,” demonstrating to this man that they receive Him as their ruler. The passion swells; the excitement spreads, and soon this massive crowd begin chanting a verse of Scripture meant only for the coming Messiah, the Son of God. They shout, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9)
And For anyone in
Jerusalem at this moment in time, they were faced with a crossroads. There are two processions; two Sons of God;
two pathways to hope…and yet only one choice.
How do you know which king offers you hope?
In my own brokenness,
I feel the pull to rely upon myself; to
seek out hope and a solution from my own means. It’s easy. It’s safe.
It’s also very limited. We've all faced that dreaded reality when no matter how much we may know
or how great our abilities and resources may be, it's not going to be enough.
It’s that moment when you realize whatever you have placed your hope in doesn’t hold water. With panic and dread you look on, but there is nothing you can do. You are limited, you are fallible, your ways can’t hold up. So, when the reality of life comes crashing around your prefabricated existence, in whom will you place your trust? Will you put hope in yourself and your abilities, or will you lay down your branch and offer allegiance to a greater God?
It’s that moment when you realize whatever you have placed your hope in doesn’t hold water. With panic and dread you look on, but there is nothing you can do. You are limited, you are fallible, your ways can’t hold up. So, when the reality of life comes crashing around your prefabricated existence, in whom will you place your trust? Will you put hope in yourself and your abilities, or will you lay down your branch and offer allegiance to a greater God?
But, whenever reality gets too real, and hope looks like a distant memory; remember that there are two processions. Another Son
of God, another source of hope awaits. He
is the Mighty King, the Creator God, the resurrected Savior, the source of
hope! He is, was, and always will be “I
AM”.
We have hope that our lives will be better BECAUSE we are not! We are not strong enough, talented enough, good enough, or smart enough. We never were and we never had to be. And thank God for that because when I place my hope in Jesus, when I give up trying to do everything my way and depend on Him, I become exactly what I was created to be...free!
You see, when we lay our palm branches down at the feet of Jesus, we pledge our complete and total allegiance to Him and to His ways. It is not a sign of weakness or of failure. It is a sign of hope! I have hope, because I AM not, and neither are you. But He is, and He always will be.
This Palm Sunday, take a moment and imagine how different your life would be if you laid that branch at His feet. When you relinquish the control you have on your life, and seek a solution from a greater source. Have your plans failed you? Then come to the one who offers a hope that has never shaken, has never wavered, and rightfully claims the title, “King of kings”, “Lord of lords”, and “Conqueror of death”.
Be honest. Be open.
This is the Christian Safe Zone.
We have hope that our lives will be better BECAUSE we are not! We are not strong enough, talented enough, good enough, or smart enough. We never were and we never had to be. And thank God for that because when I place my hope in Jesus, when I give up trying to do everything my way and depend on Him, I become exactly what I was created to be...free!
You see, when we lay our palm branches down at the feet of Jesus, we pledge our complete and total allegiance to Him and to His ways. It is not a sign of weakness or of failure. It is a sign of hope! I have hope, because I AM not, and neither are you. But He is, and He always will be.
This Palm Sunday, take a moment and imagine how different your life would be if you laid that branch at His feet. When you relinquish the control you have on your life, and seek a solution from a greater source. Have your plans failed you? Then come to the one who offers a hope that has never shaken, has never wavered, and rightfully claims the title, “King of kings”, “Lord of lords”, and “Conqueror of death”.
Be honest. Be open.
This is the Christian Safe Zone.
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