PALM SUNDAY / HOLY WEEK - 2024

 Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024, HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST

“When he reached where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the incredible miracles they had seen.

“Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!  Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”  Luke 19

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Today, two questions are: Do you follow Christian concepts or not?

The first:  “ALL of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked.” long.”  Who will you shout and sing about?  This first-century rabbi?  Some political leader, the winner of the Super Bowl?  The World Cup winner?  

The second: By Friday, the crowd had flipped, screaming, “Crucify him’.  

Have you followed someone or something and been hurt or turned off at some point? Who did the hurting? Was the person or thing wrong or a hoax? What caused you to back off?

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In a religious sense - there have been groups like Koresh in Waco, James Jones, and Jonestown - that thought they were on the right track.  Also, in the religious sense - there have been clergy who have molested children or have had sex outside of marriage.  

Could such human leaders cause you to lose your belief system?  

Maybe you believed in President Trump so very much. Perhaps you believed in President Biden so very much.  Maybe you felt the Green Bay Packers would win the Super Bowl. Perhaps you believed you would get promoted. Maybe you thought that God would heal your <spouse, friend, parent, neighbor> of cancer.  (Maybe you thought you would win the lottery)

And - maybe really let down - so deep it cut you apart.

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Yesterday was Palm Sunday - some texts say “The Triumphant Entry.”

It all looks awesome for my first-century Rabbi friend. The crowds are cheering. (Of course, he knows better—he knows he will be crucified by the end of the week.)

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I want to examine one person in the Christian tradition who was shaken that week—a fisherman named Peter.

He must have been in his heyday on that Sunday.  The rabbi he had been following had ridden into Jerusalem on a donkey (not even a white war steed) - and had the whole city out to see him.  In years past, I remember seeing (on TV) “ticker tape” parades - where a group was honored by driving up Madison Avenue (or Fifth Avenue) in New York City and people in the building throwing out ticker tape (a long bygone thing).

I can imagine Peter—formerly a stinky fisherman from a rural region—with his head high and chest puffed out—saying to his colleagues, “We did it, we did it. We’ve made it to Jerusalem!!!” 

The rabbi (named Jesus) had been attacked by the establishment and was now triumphing over his foes.  

Not that this Peter would taunt the establishment and high priest to laugh in their face.  “Your time is over, folks - get out of the way.  You tried your best to discredit Jesus - and you lost”.

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What a week—this week is frequently known as “Holy Week.”  Sometimes, it was crazy—their rabbi washed their dirty, smelly feet, and their rabbi overturned the money changer table. 

Then things “went south” (as the expression goes).  He was praying - yes, praying in a private place - when a military squad came in to arrest him.  

Of course, this Peter guy was ready - he slashed off the ear of one of them. That should show them who's boss!!!  Except - that didn’t work.  Their Rabbi picked up the ear off the ground and put it back on the man’s head again - like new - maybe even better than new.  HUH - how can you show off your power by healing your enemies?

And, later that night - not too long after this, Peter said, “I’ll never turn my back on you” - denied that he even knew this wonderful Rabbi.  (and denied him three times)

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And … then they KILLED this Rabbi.  

Peter was devastated.  What happened?  From this Sunday, with the crowd on the streets screaming Hosanna, to his death.  Peter “knew” (or thought he knew) that this Rabbi was the Messiah - and now he was dead and in a rock grave.  He had given three years of his life following this phony.  I find it amazing that Peter didn’t commit suicide out of depression.  

But buried deep was the smallest spark - the smallest hope.  

And, by the next Sunday, that smallest spark had been flamed back into full flame.  

So, where are you in all of this?  I don’t like to preach.  Yes, I have a belief system - and yes, you have a belief system.  I don’t want to (“can’t) judge you.  What is going on?  

But, LOVE WON that week; LOVE DOES WIN!!  LOVE WINS this week.  It might not look like love is winning.  Russian troops are still in Ukraine.  In Israel, the Jews and Palestinians are fighting. Thousands around the world are still suffering from cancer, dementia, and other diseases - and I still say, “LOVE WINS.” 

Maybe I’m as deluded as this guy Peter was???  (Or, maybe, everything will work out!!

Karen

Palm Sunday/Holy Week, 2024