Passion/Palm Sunday

April 5, 2020

One Man’s Passion

St. Matthew 26:14-27:66

What is your Passion? 

I’ve known some people have a passion for art, or music, or golf, or baseball, or reading, poetry, yoga, running, or exercise.

You know people with a passion – they sometimes go to the extreme.  Extreme, passionate fans during ‘March Madness’, Ivan Schoen – pastor at Spring Creek United Church of Christ is a passionate St. Louis Cardinal fan.  But passion is not limited to sports or hobbies but other areas of life. 

This is Passion Sunday and what is there to be passionate about?

When we hear of the ‘passion’ of Jesus – we immediately refer to the story just shared – the narrative from one of the Gospels of his passion, death, and resurrection.  But we seldom ask the question:  What was Jesus’ passion?  What was Jesus passionate about?

“The Kingdom of God is near, repent and believe.”  Jesus has a passion for the Kingdom of God.  His teachings, his preaching, his healing and even his so called ‘passion’ death and resurrection demonstrate what the Kingdom of God is all about.

We get a picture of the Kingdom in the bold contrasts in the ministry of Jesus.   There are two ‘entrances’ into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday:

A peasant procession entered the east side of Jerusalem led by a motley crew of disciples and their teacher Jesus.  He rode a donkey down the Mount of Olives and into the city.  Hailed with ‘Hosannas’ as the ‘Anointed’ one, the commoners responded with passion by laying down palm branches and clothing in his path.  Word spread quickly for the whole city was in turmoil.  “Who is this?”

There are two ‘entrances’ into Jerusalem on the day we call Palm Sunday.

An imperial procession enters the west gate of the city.  Pontius Pilate – the Roman Governor enters on a white horse followed by the Roman imperial cavalry and soldiers – a dramatic display of power and force.  The Empire is present.

Jesus’ procession proclaims the Kingdom of God.  Pilate’s procession proclaims the power of the empire.

The Passion of Jesus for the Kingdom of God is about to collide with the passion of Pilate for the power of the Roman Empire. 

Imagine the sights and sounds:  foot soldiers entering the west gate, marching feet, cracking leather, the clinking of bridles, the beating of drums and the icon of the Roman Imperial Eagle leading the way.  Lest we forget – the Emperor – Pilate represents – the Caesar – the Ruler of Rome was considered a deity – ‘the Son of God.’  The Emperor had the divine right to oppress the peasantry that might cause trouble.

On the east end of Jerusalem enters a different ‘Son of God’ representing a different Kingdom – meek and on a donkey – with clothing and branches strewn – this Son of God enters humbly hailed by the peasantry with loud ‘Hosannas!’

The contrast could not be shaper:  Pilate’s passion for Rome / Jesus’ passion for the Kingdom of God.  This counter procession mocks the Empire as well as portrays the Kingdom of God.

Jesus the servant, the healer, the teacher, the preacher who taught ‘love your enemies, do good to those that hate you.’- verses the harsh imperial power and the drum beat of soldiers marching.

They say that when its one man against an institution – the institution tends to win.  Jesus takes the road of loving service, prophetic justice, and care for the outcast in contrast to the road of domination and the power of extreme coercion. 

The two kingdoms stand in bold relief and are about to collide.  Jesus’ passion for the kingdom of God will be crushed by the empire and discarded on the garbage dump outside Jerusalem on a hill of the skull known as Golgotha.

Empires – both ancient and modern are threatened by prophets preaching the Kingdom of God.  God’s reign of love and forgiveness and compassion for the powerless and the least of these threaten the powerful and engages the status quo. 

Do we recognize the Empire in our day?  Do we notice our participation in the Empire?

Do we recognize the Kingdom of God in our day?  Do we participate in God’s compassion?

Listen to the contrast:

Membership in the Empire has its privileges. 

Membership in God’s Kingdom has its servants. 

The Empire uses its power to control and maintain the status quo. 

The Kingdom of God uses its power to liberate and renew. 

Citizens of the Empire are living to die. 

Citizens of the Kingdom of God are dying to live.

As a servant church we know when we experience the kingdom:  when the least and lonely are lifted up, when our lips are set free to give voice to the needs of the powerless, when this table of Holy Communion is spread to connect us to all of life and our community and world.

It is hard to put the kingdom of God into words – but you know when you are experiencing it.  The touch of baptismal water reminding you that Christ is in you and you are in Christ…the hand offered in peace and the forgiveness shared among us.  When beyond these walls we share God’s compassion with neighbor and community and the world – the kingdom is near and the Empire cringes.

The Empire wants to have its sway.  Yet, one man’s passion has opened the Kingdom for all.

Amen.