This is the first week of the season of Lent, and the first week of our new Worship series guided by Amy-Jill Levine’s Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week. Each Sunday we will journey through Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem culminating in the cross and then resurrection Sunday!
This week begins with the first day of Holy Week, which brings the familiar scripture of Palm Sunday. If you are one who loves the traditions of waving palms the week before Easter, don’t worry! We’ll still find a way to honor this expression of faith. Perhaps we will find new meaning in doing so because we will have examined this vivid text beforehand.
The story of Jesus’ entry to the fanfare of the people is in all four of the Gospels, though each story various slightly in its details. I suggest that this entry to shouts of adulation and the waving of palms has significant political implications. For Jesus to be named Son of David (arguably the most influential king of Jewish history) was a direct assault on the occupying Roman power. Reputations were at stake, and it became a matter of life and death.
Matthew 21:1-11
25 When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus gave two disciples a task. 2 He said to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter, you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that their master needs them.” He sent them off right away. 4 Now this happened to fulfill what the prophet said, 5 Say to Daughter Zion, “Look, your king is coming to you, humble and riding on a donkey, and on a colt the donkey’s offspring.” 6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus had ordered them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them. Then he sat on them.
8 Now a large crowd spread their clothes on the road. Others cut palm branches off the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds in front of him and behind him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. “Who is this?” they asked.11 The crowds answered, “It’s the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Consider these questions:
- What stands out to you in this story? Is it Jesus’ foreknowledge when he instructs the preparation? Is it the action of the crowds? Is it the state of Jerusalem after Jesus’ arrival? Why do these stand out to you?
- Where do you think you would be in the story? Would you be in the crowd? Would you have spread your clothes on the road? Would you be shouting? Would you wait in the background quietly? Would you be asking who was riding the donkey?