Two Processions

That was a lot of Scripture to digest so I’m going to keep my comments brief.

On this Palm Sunday, I believe that it is important to point out that there were two processions entering Jerusalem on that day two millennia ago.

The processions were a study in contrasts—one, a peasant procession and the other, an imperial one.

From the east, Jesus rode a colt.

He was cheered by his followers, mostly peasants who were enthralled by his message about the Kin-dom of God—where God’s justice ruled, rather than the oppressive rule of Rome.

From the west came Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor.

He entered, no doubt, on a warhorse at the head of a column of the empire’s soldiers.

Pilate’s entrance was intended to instill fear.

He was arriving from Caesaria Maritima for the express purpose of warning the multitude gathering for the Passover holiday—warning them that there had better not be any disturbance to the peace.

At the east gate, the only thing that could be heard were shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of our God!”

At the west gate, there was a hushed silence among the people but there was undoubtedly the thunder of horses’ hooves and rhythmic beating of war drums.

At the east gate—a humble procession of Jesus on a donkey.

At the west gate—a column of soldiers in leather armor and scarlet capes interspersed with golden eagles atop standards.

The assembled crowd at the east gate welcomed Jesus by laying their cloaks on the ground in front of him.

The people at the west gate experienced mixed feelings of awe and fear at the display of Roman power.

This juxtaposition of the two processions was not simply about Roman earthly power.

Pilate was also projecting the divinity of Caesar.

One of the defining characteristics of Luke’s gospel is that it portrays Jesus as the anti-Caesar.

Luke calls Jesus the Son of God.

Augustus claimed to be the son of Apollo, a Roman god.

Both were called Savior.

Both were called Ruler.

Both were called Healer.

Jesus was considered the Prince of Peace.

Augustus was the bringer of the Pax Romana.

But what really distinguishes Jesus from Augustus—and why acknowledging the contrast between the two processions is so critical—is that Jesus represents love and Augustus represents violence.

The Kin-dom of God that Jesus spoke of so often could only be achieved through love—love of God and love of neighbor.

The Pax Romana, on the other hand, was achieved through military might.

The Roman peace was maintained through public spectacles of horrific violence.

Crucifixion was a warning—intended to instill fear in anyone who would oppose Rome.

Sadly, we still see examples of public displays that are meant to inspire fear.

Our own Secretary of Homeland Security—wearing makeup and perfectly coiffed hair—standing in front of an overcrowded cell in a notoriously brutal prison, saying, “this is one of the weapons in our toolbox”.

Dozens—if not hundreds—of people being “disappeared”.

Whisked away by unidentified government agents to secret locations without due process.

The Kin-dom, on the other hand, can only be maintained through love.

The difference between the Kin-dom and empire could not be starker.

Unfortunately, we are living in Palm Sunday times, my friends.

There are still two processions—one that represents empire and one that represents the Kin-dom.

The powers of empire claim they will provide peace and prosperity.

But at what cost?

Justice?

Freedom?

Our integrity?

The principles we stand for?

Our morality?

I would argue what is at stake is our very souls, not only as individuals but also as a nation.

As this season of Lent is coming to a close, we ought to continue our spiritual practice of reflection and self-examination.

We should be asking ourselves which procession we are in.

The procession of Jesus?

The procession that proclaims love of God and love of neighbor.

Or the procession of empire?

We have a choice.

Remember, my friends, on Palm Sunday, Jesus came to his people.

Despite knowing the danger he was in and the horrors that awaited him.

He didn’t hesitate.

He didn’t wait for people to come to him.

He came to them.

Humbly—riding on a colt.

A living, breathing contrast to those who represented empire, violence, and oppression.

In closing, I call your attention to today’s second lesson.

The passage is actually a hymn from the early Jesus movement.

It is usually called the Christ Hymn.

The Christ Hymn is a guide for the choices we face.

The Christ Hymn says that our attitudes must be the same as that of Jesus.

Our attitudes must be ones that promote justice.

Humility.

Service.

And—above all else—love.

The love that God has for us.

The love that became incarnate in Jesus.

The unconditional love that we receive in abundance.

May we always be grateful for that love.

And may we always reflect that love back out into the world.

May this meditation on God’s word keep our hearts and minds on Christ Jesus. Amen.