Calvary Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Debra May Cerra
March 28, 2010 – Palm Sunday

Luke 19:28-40 After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'" 32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34 They said, "The Lord needs it." 35 Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!" 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." 40 He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."

With A Loud Voice

The events of Palm Sunday are recorded in all four gospels. This morning we focus on Luke’s accounting. It begins with Jesus sending two of his disciples to retrieve a colt for his entry into Jerusalem. Finding the colt just as Jesus said, the disciples brought it to Him and, after throwing their coats on its back, they helped Jesus mount it. The crowds paraded along with Jesus as he approached Jerusalem. “As he rode, the people gave him a grand welcome, throwing their coats on the street. Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed: Blessed is he who comes, the king in God's name! All's well in heaven! Glory in the high places!” (36-38)
As a nation, don’t we just love a parade! On Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Day, we spend hours sitting in front of the television watching the many parades that celebrate the season. Then there are those special parades throughout the country: St. Patty’s Day Parades and Memorial Day parades; Halloween Parades and let us not forget our own Riverton 4th of July Parade. In America we also honor champion sports teams, celebrate victories, and pay tribute to returning heroes with parades.
          That reminds me of an old story about a missionary who had returned to the United States to retire. He and his wife had spent over 40 years serving in Africa. But now he was alone. His wife and two children had long since found their final resting place in the soil of Africa.
          As he got off the plane he was greeted by a great crowd of people waiting at the gate. Some were holding signs; others were waving banners. He could even hear sounds of music above the shouting voices. For a few seconds he thought, “Can it be? After more than 40 years of service, all of these people have actually come out to welcome me home?”        
          But no, that was not the case. On the same plane as the missionary was a politician returning from a visit to Africa. During the visit, this diplomat had been catered to and waited upon and all his needs had been met. And now he was being welcomed back with all the ceremony his nation could provide.
          As the old missionary watched and waited, the contrast was almost more than he could bear. For a moment he began to feel sorry for himself. He started to pray: “Father in heaven, why? I’ve served You faithfully and for so long, and yet look. I don’t expect much. But is it wrong to desire that there be some kind of a welcome home?’
          Then, almost as if God had spoken out loud, the old missionary heard God say, “But my son, you’re not home yet…”
          We all want praise at one time or another. We want to feel special; we want to be noticed. Unfortunately, most of us will never be the guest of honor of a celebratory parade.
But, as Christians, we will have our day. As we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we have the assurance that someday we will meet God and hear, “Well, done, good and faithful servant.”
          Think about a toddler who is learning how to walk. Now the distance that a toddler falls is rather a short one but it is still scary. One minute she’s on her feet and the next minute she is sitting on a diapered bottom. At first the look on her face is one of surprise but then that bottom lip begins to quiver. Most times the adults in the room will quickly diffuse the fall with applause and accolades – “Yea, what a big girl. Get up! Come on, you can do it! Yeah!”  The fear of falling soon subsides and without delay the toddler is up and moving again.      Yes, everyone, no matter what the age, appreciates applause and acclamation.
When Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, the crowds cheered him like a conquering hero. Some had listened to Jesus teach; others has witnessed his miracles. There were also those who were still skeptical about this man Jesus and there were onlookers who only wanted to see something amazing happen. But the majority of the people cheered enthusiastically: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” You see, they were convinced that it was only a matter of time until Jesus declared His kingship and delivered them from the grip of Rome.
          As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, He knew He was the hero of the moment. He knew He was the guest of honor. But Jesus also knew that the crowds cannot always be trusted.
          Think about a sporting event. The same crowd that boos a player who makes a mistake will cheer wildly for the same player after a great accomplishment. Crowds have short memories. They are usually about the moment with little concern for the past or the future.
          That’s what Jesus faced. The same voices that shouted, “Hosanna!” on Sunday were yelling “Crucify Him!” by Friday morning. They forgot about His teachings; His miracles; His blessings. They were all about the moment.
          Even on Jesus’ way to Calvary and the crucifixion, the crowds were only thinking about what was happening right in front of them. Jesus, beaten and bleeding, was struggling under the weight of His cross. He needed help but not one of His disciples nor any of his friends came forth to share his burden. Instead, a stranger named Simon was forced to help Jesus carry his cross. Fear and disbelief were now in charge.
           Yes, on that first Palm Sunday the people cried out, “"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!" As we think about Palm Sunday – the crowds, the parade, the disciples, Jesus – we need to ask, “Would we have acted any differently?” Or would we have been just one more person in the crowd of people that day.
          Maybe you’ve been to a big Christian event where you met up with great enthusiasm because of the large number of people: events like Promise Keepers or Christian Men’s Retreat or Women of Faith or Group WorkCamps. In those arenas people experience great times of worship, great times of teaching, great times of being with the Lord. It’s easy to be a Christian there. It’s easy to applaud Jesus in a setting like that. Even in church, it’s easy to praise Jesus when you’re in a crowd that is already giving him praise. But then you go home. Then what? How do you act then?
          Ann Weems, a Christian writer and speaker wrote a poem entitled “Between Parades.” Listen to her message about the time between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday: “We’re good at planning! Give us a task force and a project and we’re off and running! No trouble at all! Going to the village and finding the colt, even negotiating with the owners is right down our alley. And how we love a parade! In a frenzy of celebration we gladly focus on Jesus and generously throw our coats and palms in his path. And we can shout praise loudly enough to make the Pharisees complain. It’s all so good!
It’s between parades that we don’t do so well. From Sunday to Sunday we forget our hosannas. Between parades the stones will have to shout because we don’t.”
            Palm Sunday has a message for us today – a message of promise and hope. But as we begin the journey of Holy Week, we need to ask ourselves: How will I fare? Will I be like the crowds who praise Jesus one day and loose interest in him the next? Will I be like the Christians who jump from the parade of Hosannas on Palm Sunday to the parade of Alleluias on Easter – never quite able to accept or embrace the suffering servant role of Jesus?
Or will I choose to walk with Jesus into the lonesome valley of passion and death? Will I linger at the cross in the darkness of the hour? Will I sit at the tomb with Mary and weep for Jesus? Will I be ready to stand in the garden on that early morn to hear and understand the Good News of Easter?
          Friends, our parade is waiting. We have been invited to march with Jesus! Even as we give our applause and our accolades, we need to walk through the valley of Holy week. We need to understand His sacrifice – the passion and the love that brings us the gift of salvation. Remember, the parade does not stop with the Hosannas of Palm Sunday. The parade is an eternal journey with Jesus Christ!
When we join the parade and stay the course, we walk in newness of life. We can shout, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” and mean it for we understand the great love and sacrifice that Jesus Christ gave for us. We know Jesus: our Messiah; our Lord; and our Savior.
Amen and amen.