I have an opinion, one which is substantiated every now and then.The most recent time this opinion received an official “amen” was back a few months ago when I had a little extra time while at a series of mission meetings in New York.On this occasion I built in an extra day to look around and explore.For the first time I made it to the bottom of Broadway there in the Financial District of old downtown.It was my pleasure to search through a couple of museums, namely the one related to banking and another related to Native Americans.From there I walked about as far south as possible ending within sight distance of the river.It was a beautiful day.As I recall the weather was just perfect as well.The opinion which I just mentioned was affirmed on that walk.At the time I didn’t realize I had entered the famous “Canyon of Heroes.”For those of you who are not familiar the so called “Canyon” is a list of names of individuals and groups placed along several city blocks.There are such names as Admiral Dewey, Generals Patton, Eisenhower, McArthur, also people such as Charles Lindberg, Amelia Earhart and Wiley Post, great aviators.The list includes famous people from various walks of life and even a few groups.For example the name of the New York Yankees is there eight times.The most recent addition was just last year; the group the New York Giants.
If you haven’t figured by now the “Canyon of Heroes” commemorates those individuals and collection of individuals, such as the Apollo 11 crew, all of whom received the honor of an old style New York City Ticker Tape Parade.It is amazing how many of these there have been.The earliest was to greet the Statue of Liberty back in 1886.As I said a few moments ago the most recent was just last year when the Giants won the Super Bowl.I found it remarkable that such notoriety would be made and so much time taken just to mark the celebration of a parade; but back to my opinion.
For a long time now, dating back at least thirty years, it has been in my mind that parades are exciting and the fact seems evident everybody does in deed enjoy a parade.It doesn’t have to be big, nor does it have to be hosting or offering any important persons or names.Parades are honored as great times to be together, to celebrate, and to be watched in specific details and ways.Parades help get ideas across.Parades help acquaint us with new ideas and new people.
I remember just after Susan and I married being in a parade.We were living in little old Blooming Grove, Texas, population at the time about 600.Just after we came to that student appointment we were informed of the fact that the town had a Fourth of July parade coming up and we were to be the featured attraction, my words not theirs, on the annual float.So we sat there on a bench attached to ancient flat bed trailer and waved.The parade traveled all the way through beautiful downtown Blooming Grove, all two blocks of it.As I recall the whole thing ended just about the time it began.It did serve as sort of an ice breaker.From that point on fewer folks looked at us with curious eyes.The parade did make the difference.
Everybody does like a parade.Parades themselves are as old as history itself.Nobody knows for sure but there are reference to parades and processions of various sorts, which are glorified parades, back as far as recorded history.Some parades are entertaining, some patriotic, some political, some somber, some celebratory.It doesn’t matter really because everybody does love a parade.I’ve yet to be in a community, or town in which parades don’t draw some sort of a crowd.
I remember back again to Blooming Grove.We were only there two years.In those two years we were in at least three parades.The third one was actually in Waxahachie.It was the centennial year of the founding of the Central Texas Conference, in which Blooming Grove was located.The District was the old Waxahachie District.One Sunday evening members of the district gathered as a district in celebration of one hundred years of ministry.The route to the historic Chautauqua building in which the event was help was a parade with floats from every church and organization choosing to place one. We went for several blocks down a main street through a neighborhood.The neighbors came out to watch.The roadway was lined with people who were curious, ones who had no idea who we were and why we were there.I even heard a few comments to that extent as we rode by.They were there because “everybody likes a parade.”
Another example of this opinion, and the reality of it, is right here nearly two thousand years ago.It is the remembrance which appears in the Gospels concerning Jesus entrance into Jerusalem for the very last time.Remember what the story out of Mark tells it.There was Jesus riding on a donkey.Along with Jesus were the usually followers including the disciples, the faithful, and even the curious who chose to be part of the ensemble.As they entered town people began to gather.Some came because they heard there was something going on.Some came because they were curious.Some came because they were critical.Some came because they had heard the one before them, the one who was entering town in such a way, was to be a conquering hero.
Whatever the case, whatever the reason for being there, the people responded from their own understanding.As Jesus came closer the word of who they thought him to be must have passed with him.They did what they would do for a person of honor.They did what they would do for any dignitary, especially one of political power.They set down their cloaks, their outer garments as a sign of hospitality.They also went out into the fields and cut down branches from the common palm plants which grew just about everywhere.These they waved in celebration.Unfortunately they didn’t really grasp what was before them.They shouted “Hosanna!Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!!Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!!”
Among the crowd were the faithful.Among the crowd were those who were critical.Among the crowd were the curious.Among the crowd were those who were clueless concerning what was going on.Sadly enough this could be said for those in every crowd.The day Jesus entered Jerusalem people came to see the parade, yet few really understood what was happening.
What does the story tell us?What is before us and was before those who gathered?What was it they did not and we cannot at first understand?First there was the animal upon which Jesus made his entrance.We know from the story how Jesus set up the details in advance.The code phrase, “The Lord needs it,” opened up the ability of the disciples to take it to Jesus.It was a young animal, a donkey to be exact.It was as innocent as Jesus himself had been the first time the story of Christ’s birth was shared.Perhaps some remembered.
This choice of animal is significant because by making such a choice Jesus is making a deliberate statement.Not only was the parade one of entrance, Jesus used it as one of defiance, sort of like a political march.What the people who celebrated that day expected was what Jesus did not intend to offer.You may remember last week when we spoke of Jesus coming not for war but for peace.This was something the purists did not expect.They called for and expected one like King David, one who would bring a sword, bring warfare, and who would ultimately displace the enemies and give them power.But Jesus chose to ride a donkey.Anybody with an eye for history would recognize what others didn’t.In ancient times, in times contemporary to the time of Jesus when a king entered a community on a horse it meant he came for no good, he came to do battle.When a king came on a donkey, it meant he came in peace.We forgot and so did many of those who watched that day, it was Jesus choice to enter Jerusalem on the back of a young colt, of a donkey, which meant he came in peace.
And what else can we say about the passage?What else is hidden from us and was hidden at the time from them?Basically put it was the fickle nature of the crowd.Here on the day we call Palm Sunday Jesus entered into town and all celebrated.Maybe children were let out of school, if there was such a thing.Probably businesses closed for a brief while so that all could go and see.The religious elite thought one of their own was approaching, remember Jesus was in fact a rabbi.The poor heard already of what Jesus did for their kind.Maybe they saw power coming their way.All of these shouted “Hosanna,” which literally means “save us now!!”
What is hidden here is the fact the same crowd gathered less than a few days later to watch as Jesus was brought to the authorities.These same people were the ones that cried “crucify him,” when the question came concerning the releasing of one of the prisoners.These who were so welcoming soon became Jesus’ enemies.Why?Because they weren’t into it, they weren’t in religious life because of what they could give, but because of what they thought could be received.Jesus didn’t come to take, but to give.Jesus didn’t come to kill, but to give life.He did come to save, in a way.At least they got the “Hosanna, save us now,” thing right.But Jesus came to bring salvation for the spirit and the soul, salvation from sin, not salvation from earthly enemies such as the Romans.
And one more thing; those who watched didn’t realize in a way they were watching a funeral procession.By the time Jesus made this march into Jerusalem he knew, he had already decided, he was even getting close to being ready, to make his last stand.He knew what he had to do.In order for the world to see and to understand the true meaning of the love of God he had to share the love of God in a way in which nobody had ever seen it before.Throughout his time with the disciples Jesus prepared them for the cross.He reminded them of how he was to die in order to bring life, like a seed of wheat.He told them about being raised up by God.He not only spoke of the cross, but also of the resurrection.Then and only then would they come to understand that the power of God is even greater than the power of death, and that the power of love is far stronger than the hate that sent Jesus to the cross in the first place.
Jesus came into Jerusalem with a great intent, but unfortunately few, if any understood.They were there because everybody likes a parade.They were there, at least some, because they thought they would benefit.Some came out of curiosity, others out of anger, even a few out of basic hatred, but they all came.Many did what was expected at such an occasion, they showed signs of hospitality such as the coats on the road and the waving of palm branches.Unfortunately such hospitality ceased far to soon when these same folks came to realize Jesus didn’t bring or promise what they expected.Some lost their enthusiasm because he chose to enter on a donkey not on a horse, thereby saying he came in peace, not as a messiah committed to power of war.Jesus strength was strength of love and life.In time his way would be the way, but for the moment they couldn’t see nor understand.
So what does this have to do with us where we sit today?At the most we sometimes get the wrong idea about Jesus.At the least we forget and live life as though Jesus didn’t come at all.Let us be challenged here today to remember the things misunderstood on the day in which Jesus entered Jerusalem.Let us watch with eyes of discernment how he entered Jerusalem, and even more how Jesus entered into the world, and how he lived his life.Let us remember how Jesus challenged the status quo and at the same time presented an alternative to the self centered ways in which humanity lived.May we remember especially how Jesus came into town on that day, with signs of love and peace.
May we be challenged to see that how we relate to Jesus is how we relate to life.May we be challenged to know what we receive from Jesus and what we see in Jesus helps determine what we have to give and can receive from life itself.May we be challenged to reevaluate our faith.May we pray for God’s guidance in the ways in which we can be challenged to live in the world with the love of God as part of who we are.Especially may we bring the power of the cross, the sign of the great love of God, out in the open.And with it let us celebrate the choices Jesus made to bring God’s love to humanity in a way which was sometimes quite visible, sometimes challenging, and always new.Let us in the joy of faith remember the entrance Jesus made not only into Jerusalem but also and especially how Jesus entered each of our lives and continues to do so through the power of the Holy Spirit.Let us remember to offer his love and to in our own ways, lift high the cross and the one who chose to share God’s love in such a way.
Way back when I was going to Russia on a regular basis I had an interesting experience, one I have just about forgotten until thinking about a parade here.The limited time we were in Moscow on the way to and from Tomsk we’d stay at the old Russia Hotel.At the time it was built this was the largest hotel in the world.Unfortunately in the last couple of years it has been torn down to be replaced with something more modern and comfortable.
Anyway, on one of the trips we had a few extra hours to look around town.The Methodist bus, as we call it, sat in front of the hotel.With the exception of only one person we were all loaded.Keep in mind here at the Russian Hotel is just across the street from Red Square, the Kremlin, and St. Basil’s Church.Of course it was in Red Square the old Soviet regime would have parades of power featuring their military might on every May Day and other times when it was appropriate.Remember the leaders on top of Lenin’s tomb, watching in older times, as the armament and troops passed by.
Well on the day in my memory we were all ready to head off to whatever venture our hosts had planned, I actually believe it was to the church of the singing Methodists, the group which was here just a few years ago.Anyway, as we sat there waiting for the last member of our group I looked down the road behind us and there was a huge crowd coming in our direction.I cannot even estimate the number of people there were so many.As they got closer to us I started getting sort of nervous.In more recent times Red Square had become a place where philosophies and cultures collided.There were on occasion fairly difficult confrontations there during the times when Communism was on the way out.Just about the time the crowd was within a short distance the final member of our group showed up and we sped off to a spot to watch, one in which we could study and not be involved in whatever was going on.
You can imagine my surprise and that of the rest of us, including our Russian friends when we realized the banners being waved were large icons, Christian religious images used in worship.The people were a peaceful gathering celebrating a holy day for the Orthodox Church.I wondered aloud if these were all church folks.The answer was as I have proposed before; many were there for religious purposes.Still more were there because everybody likes a parade.Fortunately this parade was a parade of blessing.And it is my prayer those who followed out of curiosity gained some insight into the Jesus of faith.
I wondered the same about that day back in Jerusalem.Certainly there were a few who recognized, through the way in which Jesus presented himself, who he was.We remember Jesus did come in peace.We remember and celebrate how Jesus did choose to go to the cross.I pray that we can, during this last week of Lent, the week we call “Holy Week,” find the time to pray for commitment and to come even closer to the love of God as we come face to face with the signs of the true and eternal character of God as Jesus demonstrated them so long ago.
The triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the grand parade, lets us know the king has come.Jesus was and is the King who saves us from sin and does for us what we cannot do for ourselves.He is the one who frees us from the past and opens up an eternal present and future.And even more so Jesus by his actions and words reminds and reassures us God is with us.May we remember not only God is with us, but be thankful for what God brings to us namely; peace, love and life.
Everybody loves a parade.Jesus chose just such an occasion to make a statement, one which brings hope to the family of creation.
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