The One Who Comes in the Name of the Lord

The preacher/worship leader always has a choice on Palm (Passion) Sunday: shall we adhere to the Triumphal Entry story,  or shall we confront those who ignore Holy Week with at least a scent of the aroma of terror leading to the Resurrection?  I’ve chosen to explore the liturgy of the Palms, simply because I expect to participate in Maundy Thursday and Good Friday events.  The occasion melds both Hebrew tradition and that unique expression of  in-breaking soon to be canonized by the nascent Christian movement.

The Old Testament reading comes from Psalm 118, an affirmation of the unwavering steadfast presence of an ultra-loyal  God.  It’s a psalm of pilgrimage, music for the journey from worldly pursuits to and through the “gates of righteousness”.  The pilgrim is expected to give thanks for the steadfast love of God extended to an undeserving humanity.  On this special day which the Lord has made, God continues to visit and restore those who’ve been in deep despair, those who’ve feared that their lives have been ruined.  “Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.”

The Gospel is Mark’s version of the Triumphal Entry (11:1-11).  Passover processions were probably common.  THIS Passover was different because Jesus entered the procession as an ALTERNATIVE to the “prayers & thoughts” shallowness of both priests and politicos.  Those noticing the greater picture of Mark’s narrative will see the event as a pivot:  up to now, Jesus has been gathering and instructing disciples, healing and teaching in Galilee, and warning his close friends that the Kingdom of Heaven is born through human pain.  And now God comes as near as possible:  “Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.”

As a preacher of habit, I’m always looking for three points for my sermons.  If I were to craft a sermon this week, I think that segments I & II would explore, respectively, these texts from the Old and the New.  Segment III should bring steadfast love home to those sitting in the pews:  that God continues to support even those undeserving of Holy Inclusion (all of us).  Also we need to be reminded that those near to us who’re thrashing around in life may be looking to US (who, me?) for words & deeds of mercy and kindness.  “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”

I love a parade!  I mastered few survival skills as a Boy Scout, but could I march!  Later, in High School, my summers were filled with marching in the band, sometimes twice per week, in Firemen’s Parades.  And later still, in college, I spent four cold Autumns learning football band formations–8 steps to the next 5-yard line–on VanNorman Field at Mansfield.  But I still like parades.  Avery & Marsh have a song about joining the Great Parade, celebrating the long line of Christians marching through the centuries.  Perhaps some little boy will point and shout, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”

God Bless Us, Every One                         Horace Brown King

My footsteps through Scripture lessons for the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com