Palm Sunday, Year B                                                               Isaiah 45:21-25
April 9, 2006                                                                           Psalm 22:1-21
St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church                              Philippians 2:5-11
The Rev. Linda McCloud                                                         Mark 14:32-15:47  

After the parade is over 

            Welcome to Holy Week.  This morning we started our liturgy outside.  We followed church tradition by blessing the palm branches, reading Mark’s Gospel account of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and by chanting a portion of Psalm 118.  Our “parade” was well-planned.    

Other than our perambulating around the church this morning, have you ever been in a parade?  Maybe you marched in the band or rode on a float.  The parade in which you participated was probably well-organized.  When it was over, did you have a let-down feeling when you looked around at all the litter cluttering the streets?  Did the streets seem lonely and desolate after the parade was over?   

Jesus had planned his entry into Jerusalem, but the parade around him seemed spontaneous.  It had all the flavor of a combination religious festival and crowning of a new king.  The crowd was shouting “Hosanna” which means “save now.”  Once again the crowd, perhaps unwittingly, was attempting to take Jesus by force and make him king.  On previous occasions, such as at the feeding of the five thousand, when the people attempted to take Jesus by force and make him king, he escaped and went off to the mountain to pray.  But not this time.  This time was different.   

This time Jesus went straight into Jerusalem.  His time had come.  If the people had not shouted “Hosanna”, the rocks would have cried out.  Jesus was indeed going to manifest himself as their king, but not in the way they expected.  Jesus knew what he was going to do.  He knew what he would do after the parade was over and after the crowd had gone their separate ways.  The people would get more than a king.  They would get a savior, but once again he would not meet their expectations.  For now, the crown he would get would be a crown of thorns.  His throne would be the cross.  His royal robes would be part of the mockery by his torturers.   

According to Mark’s Gospel, when the parade was over Jesus went straight into the temple and looked around.  He did not like what he saw.  It was late in the day.  Strangely, the crowd seems to have dispersed.  The crowd will be back tomorrow.  By Friday some will have turned on Jesus and will be crying out for his crucifixion.   

What about Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of Holy Week?  According to Mark’s gospel, if Jesus entered Jerusalem on Sunday, then Monday was the day that Jesus cleansed the temple, and the crowd was “spellbound by his teaching.”  This upset some leaders to the point that they wanted to kill Jesus, but at this time “they were afraid of him.” (Mark 11:18)  Jesus and his disciples left the city unharmed.  They were probably staying in Bethany.     

Tuesday in Holy Week is the day about which we know very little.  We could speculate that our Lord spent that day teaching, praying, and preparing his disciples for what was to come.  It would be a tough week for all of them—so much to teach and learn, so little time left.  

Mark’s Gospel sheds some light on Wednesday.  According to chapter 14, on this day the enemies of Jesus were looking for a way to kill him secretly.  They did not want to cause a political uproar or they might lose their jobs.  Imagine their delight when Judas, one of Jesus’ original twelve disciples, went straight to Jesus’ enemies and offered to betray Jesus into their hands.  Scripture says “they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money.”    

Meanwhile, over in Bethany, a nameless woman was anointing Jesus’ head with “very costly ointment” in advance of his burial.  Jesus had been telling his followers for some time that he would have to die in Jerusalem.  They had all been living with this open secret, and a woman at the home of Simon the Leper finally believed.  She believed that Jesus knew what he was talking about and that his death would happen very soon.  

The events of Thursday in Holy Week provide a hinge that swings open the door to the very essence of Christian celebration.  On Thursday of this week, here at St. Margaret’s, we will recount that last evening in the earthly life of our Lord.  From the elements of bread and wine at the Passover meal, Jesus instituted what we call “Holy Eucharist,” “Holy Communion,” or “The Lord’s Last Supper.”  He said, “This is my body . . . this is my blood.”  “Love one another as I have loved you.  Break this bread; drink this wine; do this in remembrance of me.”  Every time we gather at this altar, we remember the Lord’s death until he comes again in power and great glory.   

Jesus would get one last parade on earth.  It would lead to Golgotha and a tomb in a nearby garden.  Instead of riding triumphantly on a beast of burden, Jesus would be carrying his cross.  We can join in this parade.  St. Margaret’s will be open Friday from noon until three if you wish to come here and pray the Stations of the Cross.  Then at 7:00 that evening we will have a solemn service.   

Jesus did not jump automatically from Palm Sunday to Easter, and neither should we.  It is good for us to feel the full weight of the events of Holy Week.  This will make our celebration of Easter all the more glorious.  We can get into that last parade and follow him to Calvary and the tomb.  It’s a tough trip, but Jesus needs our company.   

What did Jesus do after that last parade?  We’ll save that sermon for next Sunday.  But here’s a hint —it’s Good News!