First Presbyterian Church
The Right Parade
Sermon for April 1, 2007
by Pastor Susan Barnes

Children's time: Palm Sunday – Clothes Sunday – Branch Sunday

Have any of you ever been to a game and seen fans who paint their faces in their team's colors? Have any of you seen fans waving signs? What else do fans do?

Did any of you go to the Ring Praise concert where a woman named Phyllis rang the bells and a man named Sean played the organ? Do you remember what she asked us to do after a song? She asked us to say “Amen or “Alleluia” instead of clapping, because all the songs were hymns and it was a worship service, not a performance.

That's a good thing to do in a small space like our sanctuary. But in a really big space, if people shouted Amen or Alleluia, no one could hear the singer or the preacher. I was in a big worship service once with four thousand people. During the anthems, the congregation waved bulletins. We could see across the auditorium hundreds of white pieces of paper fluttering. It was something all of us could do that didn't interrupt things.

When Jesus came into Jerusalem, what did people wave to welcome him there?

The gospel of Matthew said they put clothes and tree branches on the road. Mark said they put clothes and leafy branches from the fields on the road, Luke said they put just clothes on the road, and John says they had palm branches.

Why do you suppose they put clothes on the road? I think it was because they knew of an old tradition that people put their clothes in front of the king. ( 2 Kings 9:13) So to show that they thought Jesus was a king, they put their clothes on the road. What do you suppose the king's people thought of that?

Let's pray.

Before Gary and I read the scripture this morning, I want to explain about the setting of the first Palm Sunday. Learning about the historical circumstances of Jesus life has helped me understand the word of God. I expect it helps you too.

In the first century, at major Jewish festivals, a Roman governor of Judea would leave the luxury palace in Caesarea and travel sixty miles to Jerusalem. His presence served as a deterrent to violence. If there were violence, it could be dealt with quickly, since the governor was there to command the troops.

Passover celebrated the Jewish people's liberation from an earlier empire, Egypt, so it was especially critical time. In Jesus' time, the governor was Pontius Pilate. Once the governor arrived, he and his troops would stay at the Fortress Antonia, the Roman garrison that overlooked the Jewish temple and its courts. From the fortress, they could see what went on during the festival.

The Fortress Antonia could be considered a palace. It was luxurious, with columns of colored marble and glittering fountains, shaded pools, ceilings painted with gold and vermilion, chairs of silver and gold inlaid with jewels,. Mosaic floors with agate and lapis lazuli. Herod the Great, whose reign ended in 4bce, built 5 other palaces that we know of. He also financed the building of temples to Caesar Augustus.

Imagine the sights of that parade: cavalry on horses, foot soldiers, leather armor, helmets, weapons, banners, golden eagles mounted on poles, sun glinting on metal. Imagine the sounds: marching, creaking leather, metal clinking and drumbeats. The Roman emperor Caesar Augustus was the Son of God. His father was the god Apollo. Inscriptions refer to him as “son of God,” “Lord,” and “savior.”

With that as a background, let us listen to the word of God as it is found in Luke 19: 29-41.

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." 41 As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it….

This ends our reading from Luke 19. The Pharisees recognized Jesus' authority over his disciples. Perhaps they were afraid for Jesus, knowing that his disciples' words would get him into trouble. 1 Let's listen to the choir.

Anthem: Sing Hosanna

After Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, he goes into the temple and drives out those who were selling things. Why did he do that?

The temple was the center of devotion for the Jewish people. Although ancient Israel affirmed that God was everywhere, God was especially in the temple. The temple was the location of holiness—the psalms record people's longings to be in the temple.

Throughout the history of Jerusalem, prophets have called upon leaders and rulers to be godly and good. Some kings followed the law; some kings did what they could to survive, and collaborated with their overlords: the Babylonians, or the Persians, or the Greeks, or the Romans.

Herod the Great ruled for 44 years. In that time, his tribute due to Rome, his palaces and temples for Caesar, were financed by taxes, land foreclosures, and “contributions” from wealthy families who wanted to stay in power.

In 4 bce, he died, and the people of Judea saw their chance to stop this system of Roman domination and revolted. The revolt didn't last long; Roman armies burned and destroyed cities, battled in Jerusalem, and crucified 2,000 of its defenders.

One of Herod's sons, Archelaus ruled Judea 2 for 10 years until he died. When Archelaus died, Rome appointed Jewish governors to rule Judea. In Jesus' time, that governor was Pontius Pilate. Next door to Judea was Galilee, where another of Herod the Great's sons, Herod Antipas, was the ruler. So Pontius Pilate was governing the territory that Herod Antipas' brother once governed. I expect Antipas must have felt some antipathy toward Pilate.

With a governor ruling, the temple now had the responsibility for collecting and paying the annual tribute due to Rome. Debt records were stored in the temple. The temple authorities had to make sure the annual tribute to Rome was paid and had to maintain domestic peace and order. They had to collaborate with Rome and keep their Jewish subjects happy. Although the high priest was supposed to serve for life, there were 18 high priests in 60 years. It wasn't an easy job. The governors of Judea also changed often.

What didn't change was the system of imperial domination. Wealth continued to be concentrated in large estates; peasants were forced off their ancestral lands, and whole families became debt slaves. The temple was the economic center and the religious center.

The prophets often complained about the rulers of Israel, who lived in the opulent temple and exploit the poor and pervert justice. The prophets warn of evil princes who rob the helpless, and priests who offer empty sacrifice. The Hebrew Bible expects God's faithful people to care for widows and orphans and do justice, not pervert it. This is an especially Jewish point of view. It is within this tradition that Jesus preaches the gospel.

So now, you can see why Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem and go right to the temple, and drive out those who were selling things; those who directly profited from the temple system.

We can see why Jesus told the Pharisees

"give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's."

And why he said

"Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets.

They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."

Later that week, Jesus and the disciples celebrate the Passover meal in the upper room. Jesus is arrested at the Mount of Olives. Perhaps he's been just a little too prophetic.

The elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gather and bring Jesus to their council. Then they bring him to the Fortress Antonia, where Pilate was.

Pilate, the ruler of Judea, turns Jesus over to Herod 3, the ruler of Galilee. It's a matter of jurisdiction. Jesus is from Galilee after all. But he's in Judea now. So Herod sends Jesus back. New political alliances are forming. Pilate speaks to the chief priests, scribes, and other council members about Jesus' sentence.

Listen for the word of God as it is found in Luke 23:1-49.

1 Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king." 3 Then Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He answered, "You say so." 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no basis for an accusation against this man." 5 But they were insistent and said, "He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place."

6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. 9 He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. 12 That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14 and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 I will therefore have him flogged and release him." 17

18 Then they all shouted out together, "Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!" 19 (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; 21 but they kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him!" 22 A third time he said to them, "Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him." 23 But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

26 As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. 28 But Jesus turned to them and said , "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are surely coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.'30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us'; and to the hills, 'Cover us.' 31 For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

32 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 5 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" 38 There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews."

39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Having said this, he breathed his last. 47 When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, "Certainly this man was innocent." 48 And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. 49 But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

This ends our reading from God's word.

Did you notice that it is the leaders of Jerusalem who called for Barabbas? They are the ones who shouted “Crucify, crucify him.” 4 It's not the people who spread their cloaks on the road, nor to the multitude of the disciples who shouted, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

In Luke, it isn't until they lead him away, and grabbed Simon of Cyrene, that we read about the great many people following him. The people are not taunting him. Instead, they stand by watching. The women wail. The leaders scoff.

All this information, all this historical background is important to me for two reasons.

One is that for centuries, Christian leaders have accused the Jews of being guilty of killing Jesus. This was a convenient excuse in the Middle Ages to confiscate Jewish family property, kill Jewish families, and wage war against Jewish cities. And then this anti-semitism kept going to the holocaust in World War II.

The second reason is that I know there is a common image of the throngs and crowds of Jerusalem welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem with palms, and somehow, these cheering fans turn into an angry mob. They demand that Pilate release Barabbas instead so that Jesus can be crucified.

This sudden turnabout means we should recognize our sin and ask ourselves, “Could we have done that? Would we have gone along with the crowd? Would we have condemned Jesus? Would we have killed Jesus?” I've never found those hypothetical questions helpful.

Hearing the biblical story, paying attention to who said what where allows us to ask more useful questions. Am I a part of a system that exploits people? Am I accepting bribes and misusing my power? Am I above the law? Am I afraid to do what is right because it will anger people in power? Do I celebrate when I am safe even though injustice is served? Or even, “Am I like Peter, who says he will follow Jesus, but ends up denying him when it's inconvenient?”

Blaming the crowds for killing Jesus is not biblical. They didn't do it. Saying they did does a disservice to the people of Jerusalem and lets the people in authority off the hook.

And we can't even condemn all the Jewish leaders; Luke tells the story of a good and righteous man named Joseph, who was a member of the council, and had not agreed to their plan and action. He was from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He asked for the body of Jesus, took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb. (Luke 23:50).

Joseph had a lot to lose, but he did what he knew was right. He couldn't stop the execution, but he could treat his body with dignity. People had choices, even in that scary time.

We can choose, too. We can choose to be in the right parade, the one that recognizes Jesus as the one who shows us ‘the way.' We can learn from the disciples, who consistently miss the point. They stayed with Jesus, and eventually figured it out. Jesus didn't throw them out; he included them all. He lived ‘the way' of God.

‘The way' challenges the powers that be, speaks in the Hebrew tradition of justice, and does not capitulate to violence and evil. ‘The way' recognizes peace. Amen.

1 Isn't it interesting that this is the last thing they say in the gospel. The Pharisees don't have much power in the temple hierarchy, and don't have anything to do with his crucifixion in any of the gospels.

2 Also Samaria and Idumea.

3 Only in Luke.

4In the gospel of Mark, it is even clearer that it is the leaders, not the ordinary people of Jerusalem, who are shouting. In John 18:40 it is clear that “the Jews” calling for Barabbas refer to the high priest, the chief priests and the temple police (John 18:19, 22, 35.) In Matthew, it is less clear; in 27:24 the priests and elders are present, persuading the crowd to ask for Barabas and have Jesus killed.