March 20, 2005

Mindekirken March 20, 2005
Pastor Jens Arne Dale

Freedom is on its march. We have often heard this political slogan used for the situation in the Middle East in recent times. It reminds us of history when the walls of Jericho were torn down again this week. Concrete blocks and road checkpoints were removed. After an occupation period of almost 40 years, Jericho was delivered back to the people who live there.

I frequently visited Jericho in 1989, and I got a close look at the hopelessness during the occupation: industry which was choking, poverty and the resignation over the years which passed by without anything happening. Today there are promising signs of political freedom, democracy, development and peace, not only in Jericho, but also in the neighbor countries in the Middle East. When President Bush spoke openly this week about also including the terrorist organization Hisbolla in the peace process, one can really say that the times of miracles are not over.

Prayer for peace, work for freedom and fight for the dignity of every human being are current as never before. The Bible urges us to pray for the leaders of this world, and to be responsible partakers in the political process. It has been worth a thought to observe how common men and women have been able to bring the Ukraine in the direction of more freedom through mass demonstrations this winter. Many have seen promising signs of freedom in the mass demonstrations in Lebanon the last two weeks. And the recent election in Iraq reveals a newly-gained political freedom.

Freedom is on its march. The slogan may also apply to Palm Sunday. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem touched all those who were longing for liberation. It was a day of joy and a day of hope. Passover was coming. The pilgrims were coming to Jerusalem. Often, they were met outside the city walls by cheering people. The rumor had been running ahead of Jesus and his disciples. Already, when they had only gotten to the Mount of Olives, they were surrounded by masses. They started singing. The words were well-known. They belonged to Psalm 118. Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven.

The text was old, but this time the words had a new meaning. The liturgy of the pilgrimage came alive. The words were understood literally. They cheered he who would be their Messiah, the King.

Jesus had, so far, avoided all attempts to honor him as the Messiah. But not any longer. This was the turning point. From now on there would be no way back. The King approached his city. Jesus rode a colt. Where else in the Bible do we read about Jesus riding? Normally he would go on foot. Therefore it’s obvious that he had the word of the prophet in mind; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9. The donkey was the riding animal of the king in the Old Testament. The Messiah would be recognized by that. Gen. 49:10.

The excitement was unbearable. Would Jesus let the weapons speak? Would he gather people in a riot against the Romans? The possibility was so threatening that the Jews thought it would be best to kill him. But this is only the overture. So far, the entry into Jerusalem was ambiguous. People didn’t equip themselves with weapons, but with palm branches. Simon , the Maccabus had been cheered in the same way when he liberated Israel from Syria in the year 141 B.C. That’s why palm branches had become a symbol of victory.

In the short period of the years 66 through 70, the Jews were freed from the Romans, and at that time they made coins with the picture of palm branches. That also happened at the riot of Bar Kochba in the years 132-135. Jesus received the cheering as the Messiah, but the praise had strong political undertones. We do know that Jesus knew that the people’s cheering was due to a misunderstanding. Even so, Jesus let it happen. Luke repeats even the criticism of the Pharisees and the words of Jesus saying that if these were silent, the stones would shout out. Luke 19:40.

Our faith is probably mixed with misconceptions, doubt and lukewarmth. Our lives are to such a small extent conformed to the will of God. We strive and feel we’re coming too short. Even so, Jesus receives our praise. It might be we felt it was difficult to be whole-hearted as we came singing into the sanctuary today, waving our palm branches. But I believe Jesus accepts the cheering from us who often feel we live a split life. And we would continue to tell Jesus with our own words that we love him. And we may use the words of the Bible and the liturgy to worship him. He longs for our acclamation. He longs to hear that we are grateful.

And so far we can say that Palm Sunday is a day of joy. But there were also dark shadows when Jesus entered Jerusalem.

On a wall at the entrance to Tranberg High School, Gjøvik, there are two memorial plaques. One may see the relief of the faces of two former students of the school, and their names. They are the Jaffe brothers. They were Jewish. One day in 1943, they were brutally picked up by the authorities and sent to Hitler’s gas chambers. Similar to six million other Jews, they never returned.

It’s told that as the Jews entered some of the concentration camps, classical music was played at the entrance. That was to make the awful delicious. It was a camouflage of what would end in extinction. This can’t be that bad, as long as they’re playing beautiful music, might have been the reaction. But the truth would prove to be something quite different.

Jesus was also met by sweet music when he entered the place which to him would turn out to be the gruesome place, the city of murder, as we will sing after the sermon. But the opposite of his fellow countrymen 1900 years later, Jesus knew what awaited him. The sweet Hosanna sounded genuine in the mouths of the people, but Jesus had three time clearly spoken about the terrible suffering and death that was to come.

But in the cheering of Palm Sunday, no one paid any attention to that. Afterwards, we know that the royal entry with cheering in a few days would be followed with the rhythmical Crucify him! Crucify him! There wouldn’t be any king’s crown, but a crown of thorns. He wouldn’t sit on a throne, but he would be hung on a cross.

This double-sided experience is displayed in church today. We have had the procession and sung as we waved the palm branches. At the same time, we have raised the cross commemorating what happened on Good Friday. Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews was written in despise, and not to honor him. The cross witnesses against us. It reveals our sin. At the same time it speaks silently that where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, Romans. 5:10. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is victorious, but in quite a different way from how the people thought at that time.

Jesus Christ brought freedom and peace. But he didn’t do it with a sword. My kingdom is not of this world, were his words, John 19:36. He was the humble king who by giving his life would gain it. He brings freedom to the hearts and minds of people. He forgives sin and delivers hope for the future.

We get a share in his victory over evil. The resurrection of Jesus gives us hope of life everlasting. It’s a day of joy because we’re receiving Jesus. He sets us free, forgives us, and he gives us the right to pray to God as our heavenly father. So let us cheer for Jesus who sets us free and is our king, and pray that our lives may glorify him.

Glory be to God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever. Amen.

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716