In His triumphal entry, Jesus culminated His address of Rome and the King and Temple Cult leaders who were in collusion with that empire. It was a caricature of wealth, power and status. In His answer to the Roman "Triumphus", Jesus put it in their faces with a ridiculous, satirical display on a little colt instead of a steed, with leaves thrown in His path instead of fine cloth and shouts of HOSANNA (God save us) instead of "lo triumphe" to the Generals some considered gods. Jesus went to the Temple and threw out those who claimed devotion to God but lived the greed, lust for power and desire for status that were empire values.
Jesus had been in the practice of putting God's Kingdom Values in the face of Rome for a while. In one day, Jesus gathered 5,000 men, plus women and children. Instead of arming His Cohort, broken into Centuries and Half Centuries for battle or occupation, with swords and shields, Jesus divided them into 50's and 100's and handed out bread and fish. Instead of cries of greatness toward killing others, Jesus taught humility and Loving Kindness.
John the Baptist confronted Herod. Jesus had words for and about him as well. Jesus exposed the corruption of the Temple Cult leaders regularly and the corrupt heart of the King. Jesus taught ways of God that were in direct violation of Roman Law and directly opposite of Roman mores and values. Now, Jesus put it in their faces in dramatic fashion, with the gathering and cries of the people in the streets.
And with placards instead of assault rifles, and displaying words of defiance, peace, love, determination, justice and hope instead of words of threat, fear masked in hatred and intolerance, a diverse mass of people marched across the country and especially in Washington, DC today. An army of people using peaceful means to demand justice and peace descended upon the iconic city and in cities across America. In the face of this empire they walked, spoke, listened and supported one another. They confronted the corrupt empire and the politicians and religious leaders who are in collusion with its ideology of greed, lust for power and desire for status. They exhibited a different way for this nation and demanded the things that make for peace.
A fitting tribute on Palm Sunday... the Sunday of the Passion... the Triumphal Entry in the face of the threatening, unjust, corrupt power of empire. In your face. Jesus style.
Now, we go to the Cross and find Redemption in Self-Sacrifice and the lifting up of others in Love and with Grace... THAT is following Jesus.
Pastor Jamie
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