Dearest e-votees,
Our appointed gospel text for this coming Sunday's procession with palms (if you are observing Palm Sunday) is from the gospel of Luke.
I'm particularly grateful to colleagues (former and current text study participants) who helped inform this e-vo.
Peace,
Karl
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28 After [Jesus] had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord needs it.” 35 Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying,
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
Luke 19:28-40, NRSV
Triumphal entries certainly weren't unique to Jesus. You can read in some detail about the sorts of entries Romans would make celebrating their victorious leaders (see Roman triumph). One fascinating aspect of the Roman triumphal parades is the concept of "memento mori" which, you know if you pored over the "Roman triumph" entry, was the introduction of an intentional reminder of one's mortality to temper the parade. A messenger of some sort was introduced to remind the conquering hero that this momentary glory would fade and that the grave was waiting.
Jesus is entering into Jerusalem. Some view him as a conquering hero or messiah. Those would be the ones laying out cloaks and waving palm branches and lauding Jesus. Some of those would even be aware of fulfilled prophecies (riding in on a donkey's colt, coming from the Mount of Olives, disrupting the Temple, etc., etc.) that further the argument that this might be the messiah. Some view him as a threat towards established religious practice and perhaps the tenuous peace constructed with the occupiers. This would be the religious leaders--scribes, Pharisees and elders--as well as King Herod. Some would see this rabbi as another threat or disturbance to be put down. This would be the Romans including Pontius Pilate. How do we view this Jesus who rode into Jerusalem on a donkey those many, many years ago?
What do you think Jesus was thinking and feeling as he rode in on that Palm Sunday? How did he view himself? What do you think he was experiencing? Was he drinking in the worship and adoration or thinking about the cup he would pray to pass? Was he painfully aware that this same crowd would be the one crying out for his crucifixion in a few short days? Perhaps he was hearing the "memento mori" whispered into his ear. For those who come to church on Palm Sunday and then again on Easter with nothing in between they miss the deep pain and pathos of betrayal, denial and agonizing death. Jesus chose to endure the bleak days. Perhaps we would do well to linger in the hard days of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (and Easter Vigil if you are so fortunate) with Jesus.
May your entry into the observance of Jesus' triumphal entry and the entirety of the Passion be blessed and holy.
God, help us linger with Jesus this week. Thank you that he never forsakes and endured these hard, hard days for our sakes and for the sake of all people. Amen.
Our appointed gospel text for this coming Sunday's procession with palms (if you are observing Palm Sunday) is from the gospel of Luke.
I'm particularly grateful to colleagues (former and current text study participants) who helped inform this e-vo.
Peace,
Karl
------------
28 After [Jesus] had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord needs it.” 35 Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying,
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
Triumphal entries certainly weren't unique to Jesus. You can read in some detail about the sorts of entries Romans would make celebrating their victorious leaders (see Roman triumph). One fascinating aspect of the Roman triumphal parades is the concept of "memento mori" which, you know if you pored over the "Roman triumph" entry, was the introduction of an intentional reminder of one's mortality to temper the parade. A messenger of some sort was introduced to remind the conquering hero that this momentary glory would fade and that the grave was waiting.
Jesus is entering into Jerusalem. Some view him as a conquering hero or messiah. Those would be the ones laying out cloaks and waving palm branches and lauding Jesus. Some of those would even be aware of fulfilled prophecies (riding in on a donkey's colt, coming from the Mount of Olives, disrupting the Temple, etc., etc.) that further the argument that this might be the messiah. Some view him as a threat towards established religious practice and perhaps the tenuous peace constructed with the occupiers. This would be the religious leaders--scribes, Pharisees and elders--as well as King Herod. Some would see this rabbi as another threat or disturbance to be put down. This would be the Romans including Pontius Pilate. How do we view this Jesus who rode into Jerusalem on a donkey those many, many years ago?
What do you think Jesus was thinking and feeling as he rode in on that Palm Sunday? How did he view himself? What do you think he was experiencing? Was he drinking in the worship and adoration or thinking about the cup he would pray to pass? Was he painfully aware that this same crowd would be the one crying out for his crucifixion in a few short days? Perhaps he was hearing the "memento mori" whispered into his ear. For those who come to church on Palm Sunday and then again on Easter with nothing in between they miss the deep pain and pathos of betrayal, denial and agonizing death. Jesus chose to endure the bleak days. Perhaps we would do well to linger in the hard days of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (and Easter Vigil if you are so fortunate) with Jesus.
May your entry into the observance of Jesus' triumphal entry and the entirety of the Passion be blessed and holy.
God, help us linger with Jesus this week. Thank you that he never forsakes and endured these hard, hard days for our sakes and for the sake of all people. Amen.
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