Pastoral - Holy Week: Palm Sunday

PALM SUNDAY: WHO IS THIS MAN?

KORT MARLEY

MARK 11:1-10

 1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4 And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. 5 And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

WHO IS THIS MAN?

A colt he has asked us to procure for him. Is this an animal fit for a King? With Jesus, there are always lessons to be learned and perhaps this too is to meant to teach us. As we approach the house, my knees quiver a bit. Why should our Master send us to borrow an animal like this? Judas has told us there is much money in the sack to purchase more than what he desires. Yet we must take our Lord at his Word and simply make our Master’s need known to the owner. We begin untying the colt. The animal’s fur is weathered and worn. His eyes look tired, yet he makes no noise. My fingers are fumbling on the tethered rope. Perhaps we may get out of here unseen!

“What are you doing untying the colt?” a voice from behind me sends my heart racing.

We are thieves. We have been caught stealing another man’s animal.

The LORD must know my heart. I only chose to obey our Master. My murky mind begins to sift through the laws of our people. Will I be counted a thief that must redeem this animal five times over? Or worse, will he simply strike me dead where I stand? The man has every legal right to smite me. I am vulnerable at this moment as I have never been. My back turned and caught guilty in the act.

I turn to peer at my companion. He is pale with anticipation. He too must be considering our potential plight.

The Lord’s words clear my head immediately. Finally, I turn around to face the man, I say “The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.”

The words sound foolish as they come off my lips. Who are we that the Lord would be mindful of us and speak to us? This man must think us fools or infidels. Yet, now a calm has rested across formerly stern brow. He simply smiles and nods at me before he walks away.

We walk back to the gates of Jerusalem together in silence. I know not what my friend is thinking, but I can guess. What in the world just happened?

Do I know the man I call Master as I think I do? He is a man that heals the blind, forgives sin, knows the future, and commands the seas?

I rub the mane of the colt’s neck as we approach the gates. I can’t help but sense the absurdity of this moment. A donkey, fit for a King?

As we approach our friends, the other disciples smirk at the sight. Two silent, awe-struck Galileans pulling a donkey together in silence. Yet, as we approach the Lord, he looks at me with knowing eyes. Who is this man? It is as though he heard my thoughts as we walked. His eyes peer into my soul. I hear his voice but his lips are not moving.

“Do you not yet believe, John? Soon, you will see.”

Chills run up my spine. My eyes widen, pupils dilate. This man is truly the Son of God! I have known it. I have said it with my own lips. Yet now, I have experienced it. It is as though my soul has known it today.

I try to hold back the tears as the disciples cover the colt with their cloaks. Jesus begins to ride into Jerusalem through the gates. People have already lined the streets. He is no stranger in this town.

Soon a cry begins to rise, “Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

The roar becomes deafening. One man throws his cloak beneath the donkey’s feet so as to acknowledge Jesus’ kingship. Soon every tunic in the crowd has littered the street. Palm branches are being broken off by those without over-cloaks and tossed before him. The cry has turned to riot status.

I briefly look to the Pharisees and Sadducees as they stand by. Their look of concern and disdain is palpable even if it is masked by an unrivaled smugness.

My eyes turn back to Jesus. I find his eyes locked to mine. Quickly I avert to the dust. When I look into his eyes it is as though I am being known for the first time and I can’t stand the feeling it gives me. Vulnerable. It is as though no thoughts or words can be hidden from him. He knows.

I steal another glance at him. He is looking away. Not at the crowds, but up towards the temple. I glance around at the crowd. What a spectacle! Finally, the people see him for who he truly is! I feel it in my bones. This is the beginning of something great. This week is the Passover. Perhaps Jesus will reveal himself to the people this week? Perhaps he will do an even greater work than we have ever seen? Whatever it is, it must be big. I can feel it. And whatever it is, I am glad to be with him.

This blog is written with Psalm 24:7-10 in mind

7  Lift up your heads, O gates!

And be lifted up, O ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

8  Who is this King of glory?

The Lord, strong and mighty,

the Lord, mighty in battle!

9  Lift up your heads, O gates!

And lift them up, O ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

10  Who is this King of glory?

The Lord of hosts,

he is the King of glory! Selah