As I drove to the church yesterday morning, I listened to one of my favorite preaching podcasts. It was the episode for Palm Sunday, in which the two pastor-hosts discussed this week's reading, Luke 19: 28-40. You know the story: Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a colt, as the crowds lay down their cloaks (no palms in Luke's version!) and shout their praise.
A comment in the podcast gave me an idea, so my mind drifted away and I began writing a sermon in my head...
When my attention came back to the podcast, I had completely missed a few minutes of their commentary, but the first thing I heard was, "And this is a very difficult time. A violent, oppressive regime is in power..." Yes, I thought, this IS a very difficult time!
A few seconds later, I realized that the "very difficult time" was first century Galilee. The host meant that it was politically fraught when Jesus rode into Jerusalem. He meant that the Roman Empire was a violent, oppressive regime. Oops!
But my error is precisely why the Palm Sunday story speaks to us like a four-alarm trumpet fanfare. Jesus rides into the city for the Passover festival, a celebration of freedom, while his people are ruled by a brutal empire.
Join us this Sunday as we clutch our palms, recall the faith of Jesus, and celebrate the courage of the crowds.
