Who Is This Man?

Matthew 21:1-11

Palm/Passion Sunday, April 17, 2011

What a strange morning!  We have gone from shouting “Hosanna” to crying “Crucify Him!” Who is this Jesus, that we could honor and praise him one moment and nail him to a cross the next?  Who is this man that caused so much turmoil in Jerusalem so many years ago? Who is this Jesus who continues to cause turmoil in Jerusalem?  Who is this man we’ve waged wars over? Who is this man people have been willing to die for? 

This man is none other that Jesus who entered Jerusalem on a donkey so long ago.  Jerusalem was the place where God resided in the Temple, this was where people went to worship God.  And on that morning long ago, pilgrims from all over the land were going to Jerusalem for the annual celebration of the Passover.  The people were deeply confident that God will not forget God’s people.  After all, God freed the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt and brought them to a land flowing with milk and honey – the same land God had promised to Abraham.  And in this land, King David united the tribes of Israel, giving the ark of the covenant a home in Jerusalem, and establishing peace.  

And yet the peace did not last.  The people turned away from the one true God and worshipped other gods.  The country was torn apart by internal strife and then by external forces.  Most of the sons of David ruled selfishly, seeking power and wealth rather than the good of the people of God.  There were wars and more wars.  And the people were exiled to Babylon and the throne of David sat empty.  The truth is, there had never really been peace.  Even on this day, as people flocked into Jerusalem waving palm branches, the land was ruled by a Roman governor named Pontius Pilate.  Israel had not had a Son of David ruling over the land for more than 500 years.

What a strange day! On this day the crowds who streamed into Jerusalem were seeing prophecy fulfilled.  Zechariah’s words seemed to be coming true right before their very eyes! “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey... and he shall command peace!” (Zech 9:9-10).  The crowds were throwing their cloaks on the road, creating a royal way for this king.  Others were cutting palm branches to spread on the road.  The crowds were welcoming their king, much like we welcome fame and royalty by rolling out the red carpet.  What a day!

And as they welcomed this king shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David, they were drawing from Psalm 118 – the last psalm in the Hallel, a song sung at the conclusion of the Passover meal.  Hosanna literally means “save us” – and Psalm 118 reads, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! ... Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord... Bind the festal procession with branches” (v. 24-28). 

Here is their king, at last! Humble and riding on a donkey. The Son of David, come to save the people.  It really wasn’t surprising that the people of Jerusalem were in turmoil.  Their question, “Who is this man?” speaks to their fears – fear of unrest, fear of upheaval, fear that everything is about to change.  At the same time, their question, “Who is this man?” speaks to their doubts.  How can it be that a man from Nazareth can do anything?  Where is his war horse?  Where are his chariots?  His army?  How can this man who enters Jerusalem with a rag tag group of followers become king?

And yet, their question, “Who is this man?” also speaks to their hopes.  Perhaps this prophet from Nazareth is the one who saves.  Perhaps he is the Son of David who will ascend the royal throne.  Perhaps he is the Messiah, the anointed one, who will bring peace.  Perhaps...

Who is this man?  On this Sunday we live in this place of fear and doubt and hope.  We know how this story unfolds.  We know this man isn’t riding into Jerusalem to claim an earthly throne.  We know that one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, will betray him for 30 pieces of silver.  We know his closest disciples will be unable to watch and pray with Jesus, falling asleep in his hour of need.  We know the crowds – the very same crowds that shouted “Hosanna!” – will shout, “Let him be crucified!”  We know Jesus will be mocked as he hangs on the cross: “If you are the Son of God come down from the cross... He trusts in God; let God deliver him!”  We know that with his last breath Jesus will feel like he has been abandoned by everyone, even by God: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

We know all this, and yet... This is not the king we expected.  He did not take power, the way we thought he would.  As a matter of fact, he let the powers that be crush him.  He remained silent, not answering a single charge, when he was before the governor.  He did not fight.  He did not talk back to those who mocked him.  He did not behave like a king.

Who is this man that this would happen?  This man is none other than Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.  His kingdom is not of this world, where the forces of evil enter into even the best of our intentions, causing us to shout “Hosanna” one day and “Crucify Him” the next.  But in Jesus the kingdom of heaven has been brought near.  So near that we can see it – just look at the cross!  Rather than rule by force, Jesus ruled from a cross.  Rather than fight violence with violence, Jesus proclaimed peace in his very body.  Shamed and humiliated by the powers of this world, Jesus announced victory by his actions.  Jesus was obedient to God, even unto death.   As one who knew no sin, Jesus became the unblemished Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  In his act of total submission, Jesus brought peace.

Now, when we ask, who is this man, we know this man is none other than Jesus Christ, Son of God, Lord and Savior.  When the powers of hell and death thought they had done their worst, killing the Lord and Creator of the universe, God had the final word: RESURRECTION!  On the third day, Jesus was raised from the dead and given all authority in heaven and on earth.  And this King Jesus deeply loves His people – all of them! He rules with compassion and kindness, claiming only the power that comes from above. He judges fairly in all things, always giving us another chance to repent.  For our king has experienced the evil of this world.  He knows the depth of the forces of hell and death.  He has seen us betray and deny him and mock him.  Yet he invites us to be reconciled.  He invites us to find peace.  He invites us to look at the cross and affirm, “Truly this man is God’s Son!”

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In 1^st John we are reminded that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.  If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Therefore, let us confess our sins before God and one another using the prayer printed in the bulletin:

 

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. 

L:  Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners.  That proves God’s love for us.  Friends, if God is for us, who can be against us?  In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! 

C:  In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

A:  Glory to God.  Amen.