Palm Sunday Mark 11:1-11 Isaiah 50:4-9a Mark 14:1-15:end

If you have worked hard and attained fame it is quite natural that people around you will wish to make a show of how proud they are of you. If you are lucky they may even throw a party in your honour or treat you to some sumptuous meal.

Today, Palm Sunday, Jesus is making his way into Jerusalem. His reputation was well known and the people along the way wished to recognise him by throwing palm leaves along his path as he entered the city, not on foot, but riding on a colt.

His entrance into the city was also accompanied by shouts and cries, “Hosanna!” the people shouted. It was their belief that this person, Jesus, was coming into the city to become their king. He would bring to an end the rule of the occupying powers. Jesus was riding on a colt, lifted up before the people, lifted high so that more could see him and shout their words of encouragement. They wished to give Jesus a conqueror’s welcome but little did they realise the kind of conqueror he would be.

It can be so easy to pile different kinds of attributes upon a person. They can have honours bestowed upon them. They can be treated to the most privileged seat in the house. They can be ushered to the front of any queue. Yet, deep down they are just like you and me. Such prominence is the last thing that they want. Their qualifications and attainments fit them for a task that they perform, a job which they can do in a more efficient manner.

This is just what Jesus was doing. He had a task, a ministry. He had to teach of the love of God, of the heavenly kingdom, of how to lead a life following the laws as laid down in the commandments. He came to lead them in a battle against wrong doing and sinfulness, and to lead them into loving God and obeying him. Yes, Jesus had a battle but not, as the people generally thought, against the enemies of Israel. It was a battle against themselves, against the sins they harboured in their hearts.

The crowds shouted “Hosanna”. But it was not a shout of praise. The real meaning is “Save Now!”. The people were shouting for help, for protection against the hand of the king. It was a cry to God to step in and to save his people. Jesus was the Messiah, he had come and he was going to achieve this.

One could almost expect someone in such a position to creep in to the city, almost being unnoticed, hidden from the authorities. They were, after all, out to destroy him. But instead he arrived with everyone’s eye focussed upon him. He was also going to tell the people that their ideas of what he would do were all wrong. Jesus was making his one last act of love, with courage.

In carrying out this last act of love Jesus is showing us how we too should approach various times in our life. Not necessarily riding in with’ all guns blazing’, making a scene or spectacle. Jesus spent time with his Father, with God. He would often find time to be with God. It was in God that he found his strength. Here is where we can follow his example.

Faced with similar circumstances, where the world around us is determined to pour upon us honour and praise, turn the spotlight upon us, make us stand out. It will be good to ‘time out’. To find time with God. He, after all, has enabled us to reach this position. Now is the time to ask him how to handle all that the world is throwing at you. A time in peace and quiet allows a period to gather thoughts, to gain strength, if that is what will be needed. Time to cast yourself upon God and allow him to lead.

Collect for Palm Sunday

Almighty and everlasting God,

who in your tender love towards the human race

sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ

to take upon him our flesh

and to suffer death upon the cross:

grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,

and also be made partakers of his resurrection;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.