Sermon 24th March 2024 – Palm Sunday
Text: Mark 15:16-20 – Jesus’
foolish coronation
Both our Gospel readings
today are full or what some might call irony. Others, including myself, would
call them prophecy hidden in plain sight. Let me walk you through them. Firstly
we have the aptly named “Triumphal Entry” which seemingly looks anything but
triumphal to the human eye. Here we have Jesus prophesying exactly what would
happen: You will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it
and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this,
‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and
found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it,
some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”
They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then as
Jesus enters Jerusalem the people proclaim prophecy whether they realise they
are doing it or not: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed
is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven! Although
they were expecting something much different – a victorious political King
riding into town on a horse draw chariot to sit on the throne in the succession
of King David – they received something completely different to their
expectations. Something that they were not really wanting or expecting.
Hence we will see a shift
from the people where the cheers become jeers which will also be prophetic. Where
the shouts of Hosanna become shouts of crucify him. But here is where irony
continues as the shouts of crucify him become unintended shouts of grace and
mercy as it will be through Christ’s crucifixion that we receive forgiveness
and healing. In the words of Joseph from the Old Testament – what they intend
for evil God uses for good.
In Matthew’s version we see
this prophecy even clearer: They shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” When
Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was
starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. He said “I am innocent of this man’s blood,”
“It is your responsibility!” All the
people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” What a prophetic
proclamation of the people, though not intended, that will eventuate in Jesus’
crucifixion becoming the saving blood of the new covenant “on us and our
children”.
From here we move to Mark’s
version of the humiliation and crucifixion which were all meant to mock and
demean Jesus but, again, become proclamations of his true Kingship: The
soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace and they called together the
whole cohort. And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some
thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, “Hail,
King of the Jews!” They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt
down in homage to him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak
and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. This was
all meant to humiliate Jesus but in God’s unique way shows that his weakness is
stronger than human strength and his foolishness is smarter than human wisdom.
They clothed him in purple
cloak – the colour of royalty. They twist a crown of thorns – for he is a true
king. They strike his head with a reed – much like when a person is knighted
with the tapping of the sword on their shoulders. They spit on him – like when
a king is anointed with oil. They kneel down in homage to him – Remember Paul’s
letter to the Philippians – every kneel shall bow and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord. They don’t realise it – they don’t intend it – but they
are in fact declaring Christ’s hidden kingship through foolishness and
weakness.
Then they crucify him – they
lift him high on the cross which is his throne from where he will reign until
he returns. He is lifted high for all the world to see much like the arches of
the local McDonald’s that every one sees when they come into town. Much like
churches that used to hoist their crosses high on their buildings for people to
find their local church.
And then the greatest of
ironies. The Roman Centurion – the one overseeing his humiliating execution
sees all that happens and makes the first proclamation of faith after his
death: The centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed
his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
Why is all this important? Because
this is still how God works in the world. As we heard a few weeks ago from Paul
in 1 Corinthians.
God confounds the strength
of the world by his weakness. God confounds the wisdom of the world by his
foolishness.
Today the church is seen as
weak and yet in our weakness is our strength. As Paul says – when I am weak
then I am strong.
In our failing numbers we
have the angels, archangels and all the company of heaven with Jesus promise –
where 2 or 3 are gathered there I am in the midst of them. When we are told we
are no longer relevant in today’s progressive world we have never been more
relevant. Where the mocking of the church and our faith is met with Paul’s
warning – God shall not be mocked. But let us see mocking in a different light.
I was watching a comedian
recently who ripped into the Christian faith. He then decided to make fun of
Islam.
He look at the camera –
didn’t make a sound – and then said – I’m not stupid. I mean, what is a
Christian going to do to me – forgive me. I thought – unknowingly, this so
called comedian just prophesied for us. Our weakness is actually our strength. When
someone mocks you or the church you can actually honour God by forgiving. You
can show God’s authority by praying for God’s enemies. Isn’t that what Jesus
did as the greatest act of strength through weakness? Forgive them Father –
they know not what they are doing.
It can be a tough journey
carrying our cross. Even Jesus needed the help of Simon of Cyrene as he walked
along. We too have that help. We have one another to pick each other up as we
struggle. We have Jesus who has promised “I am with you always”. As we enter
into Holy Week we enter into a darkness that will take us into the humility of
Jesus washing his disciples feet. A humility that would be seen as ridiculous
for someone of high standing to stoop so low. But this will be Jesus’ great act
of authority as through his humility he is given the name that is above all
names to which every knee will bend and every tongue confess as Lord. He will
experience the greatest act of betrayal from his own disciples. A disowning
from his closest friend and disciples. An abandonment by his own disciples as
they flee when he is arrested. But then the greatest of abandonments will be
experienced by Jesus along with pain that made the nails in his hands and feet
seem insignificant. As he cries out from the cross – Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means,
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? But again, we will see God work
through foolishness and weakness.
As this abandoned one,
betrayed one, disowned one is lifted high and seated at God’s right hand. As we
lift high the name of Jesus by our weakness and foolishness – forgiving where
others take revenge. By loving where others would hate. God’s power and
authority is a hidden power and authority. Hidden behind weakness and
foolishness. And what the world tends as evil towards God, the church and
Christians are opportunities to proclaim God’s Kingdom come by loving as God
loves.
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