Readings: Psalm 118,
Mark 11:1-11
It has been said that the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem at the beginning
of the last week has all the elements of a superb piece of ‘street theatre’
–carefully planned and implemented, well
orchestrated and as subversive as you can get. A rich mix of comical parody of the powers
that be and deep truth offered through sideswiping established expectations.
Likening it to a military campaign would not be amiss – strategy,
provisioning, show of force– but with a major difference – Jesus came to bring
peace, not war.
He came riding a donkey – a sign of peaceful intention.
He came – challenging the established powers and ways
He came – offering an alternative to servile fear and violence
He came – dramatically, hopefully, determinedly to bring a new way of
being to the world – a love that cannot be broken, even by humiliation and
death.
It was one of the most intentionally confrontational and explosive acts
of Jesus’ ministry, was it not?
I think we make a mistake when we see Jesus entry into Jerusalem only as
something to be got through, that the pain and humiliation and suffering were
somehow inescapable sacrifices to be offered to redress the balance of relationship
between human beings and God.
I reckon that Jesus genuinely came to give it a go, to see if the
people, the powers, the priests might just get that there was a better path, a
different way to live and to know God.
We know the result. The political
and priestly powers didn’t get it – at all.
And they treated this beautiful man as a piece of threatening baggage –
and crucified him on a cross.
But what about the people – and this to me is the most intriguing aspect
of the day and the event – what about the people – how did they view the
acclamation for this man, this prophet – how did they respond to the call to
follow a new way, to believe a different and startling truth.
What were the powers that got in the way – for them and for us? We know what happened then – but we need to
ask - what is it that is getting in the way, continuing to drive Jesus to the
inevitability of the cross? This is
worth exploring at the beginning of Holy Week I think? And to do this I want us to hear some voices.
On the day the Prophet rode
into town, business woman Julia was in the middle of closing an important
deal. She was drawn to the shouting,
always keen to know what was happening in her vibrant city. But there was so much riding on this deal –
they would think her an easy target if she backed off now – no she would hear
about it later anyway. It wouldn’t be quite the same as being there – but
priorities, priorities……
It was shopping day for Peter
and Clare – when you don’t have much money you have to spend time looking for
the bargains so you can put food on the table for the family. Just a moment to look out through the glass
frontage – it looks amazing – you can see from their perplexed faces that they
have almost forgotten what it was like to have that exuberant joy? It’s been a long time – each time they begin
to think they are getting somewhere, something else goes wrong, more bad luck,
or there is another paper to fill in, another rejection……no time for joy!
Harry thought the procession
sounded like fun – from his room anyway.
But he daren’t go join – every time he went out onto the street he would
get hassled, laughed at, jostled till he just had to get away. He knew he was different – he’d been called
‘not the full quid’ often enough – and that was the polite version. But why wasn’t he allowed to join in, why
wasn’t he welcome – because he had this funny feeling that he sometimes got –
something important was going on here, something he needed to hear and be part
of – but they’d never let him close – so why bother.
Then there was Martha – bit of
an old fashioned name these days – she simply didn’t have time. They went past her house – but she didn’t
look up. Too much to do. House to be cleaned, meals to be cooked,
flowers to be arranged, beds to be made – she didn’t have time for anything
new. And anyway, she didn’t trust any of
these ‘popular’ things – anyway her entire life had been spent earning respect
by what she had done, not what she might have imagined she could do….
What a load of absolute and
complete twaddle. You could almost see
the words breathed out on Hugh’s snort of derision – actually it was a fairly
alchohol laden snort but what difference did that make? Heard some of slogans
as I tried to get through to the pub!
You get where you are by your own efforts, not by handouts. Work hard and play hard, look out for number
one and you’ll be right. Future will
take care of itself – cause I deserve all that I can get now. Compassion, equality, love for others – what
a load of ….actually I don’t think I should use that word in church…?
Janice was a bit of cynic –
only what you can prove, taste, smell, touch – the material things. Everything and everyone else had let her
down. Talk of love had proved cheap and
hurtful. Friends and family disappeared
at the first sign of trouble, and - let’s face it - she did have a bit of a
‘difficult’ side. Promises dissolved in
thin air, hope was a foolish dream, dreams a waste of space, life something to
be got through really. But there was
something about this man – despite herself she was drawn, something compelling,
something warm almost about him – she had got close – didn’t mean to but the
crowd seemed to let her through – and there was something about him….
I invite you to spend some time thinking and praying on how these we
might respond to these powers of hurt and cynicism and poverty and diminishing
that are so prevalent in our society – and later I invite you to bring those
thoughts forward as we pray for the others and ourselves.
Margaret Garland
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