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When Jesus entered Jerusalem amidst waving of palms and shouts of praise, the Roman and
religious leaders of the day were fearful. In the prior 150 years, the people in Jerusalem had had such processions just twice, in a span of 20 years. The Maccabees had led rebellions of the people of Israel against their Syrian conquerors and their military victories restored the temple and the city to the Jewish nation. So when Jesus made a similar entry, the leadership of the day saw it as a victory procession and were afraid of the social and political ramifications of struggles that might be now unleashed again.
These leaders urged Jesus to silence the people; but he refused, and in that refusal, he sealed his fate. He had been born for this, for all that would happen that week. He had come to challenge the political, social and religious systems that dominated, exploited and oppressed the disenfranchised: the poor, elderly, women, children, handicapped, outcasts. Like the Maccabees, Jesus did come to conquer. But unlike the Maccabees he did not come with the power of the sword, but with the power of God’s love. He did not seek domination over the systems of the day. He came pointing to God, seeking the transformation of the world to embrace God’s desire for mercy, justice and reconciliation.
Jesus was utterly convinced of and committed to God’s way, God’s vision and a new reality breaking into the world. He saw that the power of the leaders hurt and destroyed the weak and the helpless. The new reality he brought was that all people are members of God’s family. He proclaimed the Kingdom of God where all are equal and where all are welcome at the table, where generosity and mercy overcome poverty and selfishness, where forgiveness trumps enmity and violence—God’s Kingdom, where even bullies and enemies are prayed for.
Palm Sunday and Holy Week invite us to join Jesus in this victory procession for God, a journey to a victory that even death cannot destroy. Jesus will witness and be a servant of God’s love and justice, all the way to the cross and tomb.
The Rt. Rev. Gayle Elizabeth Harris
Bishop Suffragan
PHOTO: iStockphoto.com