(© by Rev. Larry A. Langer, First Presbyterian Church, Jasper, IN, April 17, 2011)
“Seven Who Encountered Jesus: (6) The Crowd”
Matthew 21:1-17 and Romans 13:1-10
“When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’” (Matthew 21:10-11)
I was at McDonald’s the other morning eating breakfast after a “fasting” blood test. As I sat there eating my “Cholesterol Special” of hot cakes, hash browns, biscuit, scrambled eggs and sausage (do know that I usually eat oatmeal and fruit every day at home!), I was next to a group of ten or so of Jasper’s finest men. I couldn’t help by overhear them speaking about the Integra bank Trust Department being bought by Old National and about other such current events.
What I observed about these men was that each of them sat back as if they already knew everything, such that it seemed that it all was just a “re-cap.” It seemed that each man could shrug his shoulders and say, “That’s the way it was; that’s the way it goes.”
Eventually, some of the men got up and went on their ways, perhaps to other errands, perhaps to work, perhaps to home. And, I suppose, each man who had been there and part of the conversation felt that they were up on the current news.
What I also know is that there are other groups just like this all over town: At Hardies, at Headquarters, at the other Mc Donald’s, at Denney’s. All of these groups share the news and their analysis of it, and have a common fellowship: “Going for Coffee!” The thing I wonder about is what impact these “coffee” times have on the day for these men – and women – who have gathered? Does it make a difference in what they do? Does it change their life? Does it make them a better person? Does it help them with their decisions throughout the day and beyond?
These same questions could be asked of those who experienced what we label “Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.” We read of the instructions to the disciples; the preparation by the disciples. We read of the reactions of the crowd; we read about what they said. We read, then, about what Jesus did, and who saw, heard and reacted to it. Finally, we read of where and how Jesus went – to the temple to cleanse it.
Yes, we read all of these things, probably for the umpteenth time, right? Ever since we have been in church, this passage, this recollection, comes around every year. We always get the passage about “Jesus’ Triumphal Entry” on what we call “Palm Sunday,” because it begins Holy Week, the days leading up to Jesus’ last Supper, his crucifixion, his death, and his resurrection. We always get it, perhaps so much so that it has become old hat to us, and we sit back like so many men and women at coffee and think, “I know that.”
Then we get up and go for another week.
But what if we really tried to contemplate this triumphal entry as if we were there? Of course, this is what I hope we do after each Sunday’s Worship Service and message: I hope we think about it and it somehow changes what we do and who we are during the week!
What if we were one of the disciples, one of the chosen twelve? We have been with Jesus pretty much full time for three years now. We are pretty much used to his sometimes strange actions. So, when he tells us to go into town and get the donkey and her colt, we might shrug and think, “Okay, the Lord has need of them. We don’t know why, but the Lord has need of them.”
Not even John’s Gospel, which always fills in the details, fills in the cracks that would have Jesus telling the disciples that he was about to enter Jerusalem on one of those animals. No, there were no questions or explanations, just “Go into town, get the animals, and if anyone says anything, say, “The Lord has needs them.”
So, as Jesus’ disciples, what do we say when someone asks us to do something, because of our faith, because we are Christian, because we are church members, because we are trying to be good, Godly people? I can tell you what most of us do: We say, “Why?” Most of us want an explanation of why we might be asked to do something, especially if it seems to be as obtuse as going into town and getting a donkey and her colt. I mean, Jesus and his disciples seemingly have gotten by without one for three years; they have walked every place. So, why a donkey and her colt now? The answer is, “The Lord has a need…The Lord has a need.” (It also fulfills the Old Testament prophecy about how the “King of the Jews” will come into power!)
However, now, the Lord has a need for us to be his disciples, and there has never been a greater time to meet the needs as Jesus’ disciples.
I bet that when we think of “meeting needs,” we think of “money issues.” But there is so much more than just supplying monetary needs. Particularly at the age and stage most of us are, there is the need of time and tender loving care, not only to our own people, but to those around us.
There is also our own need to be helped. We might even say, “I don’t want to be a bother,” or “I’d hate to ask someone to do that.” But, sometime, perhaps a lot of the times, people who want to meet needs are available; they just don’t know what needs to meet. If we have needs, and we let others know, there are usually people around to meet those needs.
The best habit to get into as a disciple of Christ is to develop the attitude of saying “sure” to requests. “Sure, I’ll do that for you, if at all possible.” “Can you give me a ride?” “Sure, when?” “Can you help me at my house?” “Sure, what can I do?” “Would you be willing to (fill in the blank)?” “Sure, I’d love to!”
Again, Jesus’ disciples weren’t told any more than “The Lord has need of it,” when asked to go into town. They trusted that they could do what Jesus asked, and it would be for the good. If someone asks us to do something good, especially a fellow believer, there is no reason not to acquiesce to the request.
What if we were who I would call the “cheerleaders” that day? These were the folks who were around Jesus, but not officially “disciples.” These were the people who listened to his teachings, who followed him around, and who now were the cheerleaders, shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” They were creating quite the stir!
What do we think Jesus was doing, though, While the crowds were cheering? What do we think was the expression on Jesus’ face? What do we think were the expressions on the twelve disciples’ faces? Somehow, I just can’t see Jesus waving and grinning to the crowds as he rode that donkey into town.
Perhaps he did look resolute. Perhaps he had a look of satisfaction on his face, because this was the way things were supposed to be. Perhaps he was thinking ahead to the rest of the week.
We know that other recollections of this Palm Sunday entrance make this “Passion Sunday” rather than “Palm, Sunday.” I have always thought that it is important to see this as “Palm Sunday” to get the full impact of the juxtaposition between the joyful celebration that the Messiah of the peoples’ dreams has come, and the sadness that Jesus wasn’t truly the “King of the Jews.”
Have we ever thought of the look on Jesus’ face as he rode into town on the donkey, with the crowd of cheerleaders in front and behind?
Have we ever been a cheerleader for Jesus?
Some of us may say, “Not really, we’re Presbyterians. We’re called the “Frozen Chosen.” If we want to jump and shout, we would be something else!” Yet, we don’t have to put the “jump and shout” into “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.”
It really is also effective when we say it with great surety: “Jesus is Lord; Jesus is the promised Messiah; Jesus is the Son of David; the Son of Man; the Son of God. Thanks be to God!”
Are we cheerleaders for Jesus? Do we ask people if they believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? Do we ask people if their life would be better with forgiveness and love and knowing for certain God loves them? Do we ever ask folks if we could tell them about our Savior? Are we cheerleaders for Jesus?
Are we “the others” in the crowd, part of the “Whole city (that) was in turmoil” crowd? There was probably a very large group, probably the majority, who wondered, “Who the heck is this anyway? The streets are blocked, there is what appears to be a riot on the main street, and it is being led by some guy on a donkey. What is going on; it really is a real pain!”
Oh, my friends, if only the world knew and believed what we know and believe: That Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, and yes, he disrupts lives, but for eternal purposes! Unfortunately, in our present age, politics has become our main means of salvation – or not, our main means of protection – or not – from cradle to grace, our main source of security and well-being – or not. As someone has said, “We raise armies to produce peace. There was a time when we fought wars for national expansion or for the good name of the king. Now we fight wars for security.”
Do we dare say that we Americans will soon be fighting wars for our financial security? I haven’t seen any seriously non-political commentary on the budget proposals that aren’t negative. The Wall Street Journal had a blistering article this past week, though. My gut feelings are that we are quickly becoming a socialist nation. We are a long way from responding the way the Middle East countries are responding, but we will get there sooner than those countries have. You see, we have known the “good life,” the prosperous life, so much so that we have gotten very used to it. I’m afraid we are about to lose it – and we don’t know that we are, and if we did, we wouldn’t know what to do about it.
I know this is a political statement, but most of the citizenry of this great country depend on politics, not the Lord Jesus Christ, for prosperity, health, and well-being. If we chose to be the followers of Jesus, we would give our fullest effort to answering the age-old question with our lives, as much as it depends on us. We would constantly be asking “What does the Lord require of us?” We know the Biblical answer: “Only this, to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with the Lord.”
When we see the guy on the donkey named Jesus, are we seeing him from the perspective of the disciples, the cheerleaders or the townspeople? Hopefully, we are at least the cheerleaders, preferably we are the disciples!
What if Jesus asked us to get him a donkey?
Amen.
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