Today is Palm Sunday, and we remember Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, to the shouts of “Hosanna in the Highest.” The long journey is finished and his disciples are certain that this Messiah Jew is about to do something extraordinary. They may not agree on what is about to happen, but they know it will be great and mighty.
The donkey should have been a clue; it all seems to go very badly. What happens next, the disciples are not prepared to see; this king of glory surrendering his inheritance to be joined with us—in every way imaginable. Jesus—the son of God—leaves the glory of his position. Unbelievable!
We all love a good rags-to-riches story. It is what we have become used to—what we expect in our feel good culture. Whether it is the story of a poor farm boy becoming President of the United States, a nag of a horse winning the Kentucky Derby, or an undersized basketball team going all the way to win the NCAA tournament on a three-point shot from the top of the key, we love it when the underdog David beats the giant Goliath. Maybe that is why we tend to skip Holy Week and go directly from Palm Sunday to Easter morning.
But this isn’t a rags-to-riches account. This Jesus story goes in the other direction. At one moment Jesus is being hailed as our king—the next his crucifixion is being demanded. Why does he refuse to accept the glory that is rightfully his? Why does he offer no resistance? Why does he not protest his innocence and meet power with power? Unable to act in his behalf, we are forced to watch his downfall in stunned silence.
Last night I had a dream. It was one of those very realistic dreams that I knew was real—up to the point of my sudden wakefulness. In my dream I held in my hand the winning MegaMillion lottery ticket. I don’t know how I got it—I have never even purchased a lottery ticket, but here it was, half-a-billion dollars was mine for the taking. The numbers matched. The prize was mine. I calculated the income I could receive from this endowment and all I could do. Then I heard the words leave my mouth—I turned down the money! I refused what was rightfully mine and tore up the winning ticket.
My dream doesn’t even begin to match the sacrifice Jesus made for us. He allowed himself to be crucified on the cross, dying for us and pouring himself out for the benefit of the whole world. His love became the power that overcame the empire. His sacrifice lifts us out of our sin and gives us the possibility of a restored relationship with God.
In my life there were many who sacrificed much that I could be here in this place, at this time. I’m sure if you stop to think, there are also those who sacrificed much for you. Do you remember any of those people? Maybe a teacher or mentor; maybe it was a parent. Can you remember what was done for you? Maybe it was a small act of kindness offered at just the right time that lifted you from the pit of despair. Or a monumental act of unselfishness that gave you an opportunity to become the person you are today. Do you remember?
None of these acts can begin to replicate what was done for us by Jesus Christ and yet it is by remembering that we can begin to understand what Jesus did for us. Our memories illustrate for us the character of the Christian community, like Paul’s letter tells us of the depth of Jesus’ love. We are joined together by countless acts of selflessness and our lives are shaped by the love of our community.
But these memories of past actions do not sufficiently prepare us for the glory of Easter morning. How do they all come together? The shouts of Palm Sunday, the drama of Holy Week, the agony of Good Friday and the mystery of the empty tomb. All must be experienced before we can exalt at the glorious resurrection of Christ. Has anyone done for you what Jesus did? Has there ever been a sacrifice so complete as Jesus laying down his life for you?
The tragedy is that for most of us this act was for naught. But if you can remember and compare a life lived without the love of God in Jesus Christ with a life in His love—you know how great a gift you received.
Jesus held the golden ticket in His hand and said “no”. I will not cash this in. I will not rule the world of powers and principalities because this currency has no value for me. Jesus trades in the currency of power for the currency of love—for you and for me.
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.”
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