A Turn in the Road

by Pastor Kathy Barlow-Westmoreland

This week's focus scripture is Luke 19:28-40.

If ever there were an argument that we need all four gospels this day is the day for that. For if Luke were our only recording of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, we would not be waving palm branches- for there are no palms or branches of any kind in his telling of this day. We would not know the word Hosanna, for that appears no where in his version of this day. And we would not associate this day with children, as the only ones processing with Jesus are his disciples- more than the twelve, but certainly not the hordes of people from the city that are portrayed in other versions of this day.

But even with his palms or hosannas or crowds, Luke has a purpose and meaning to his telling of the triumphal entry, and it would serve us well to take a moment, before we take that turn in the road toward Jerusalem and Calvary to listen to what Luke thought was significant for us to know.

Luke has just had Jesus telling a parable and now he is making the ascent from Jericho to the Mount of Olives. He is traveling from the desert to the lush green growth of olive groves. And now he must descend into Jerusalem- riding a donkey that had never been ridden. Like a sacrifice, the fact this colt had never had a rider made it sacred- it had been set aside for sacred use. Most of the time, what was set aside for sacred use were sacrifices…yes, sacrifices.

And those around him, singing his praises were his disciples. Not just the twelve, but men and women who had traveled with him, had seen his miracles and healing, had heard and believed his teachings. They were not part of the mobs who would call for his crucifixion in a few days…instead, like us, they would stand in the shadows, not wanting to make trouble, fearful for themselves. For they, like the Pharisees are worried, they know what Rome does when threatened. No, they will not call for his death, instead, even worse, they will run away and find ways to make themselves invisible.

But in this moment, the disciples are singing praises: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in highest heaven! No hosannas- no save us! Only words of blessing and peace. For Luke peace is tantamount to the reign of God. He uses the word peace 14 times more than twice what other gospels do- Zechariah, the angels, Simeon, all speak of God’s peace before Jesus even enters his first year! And now, just before his death, we are reminded that his whole life is leading to peace in heaven and on earth.

Then, Luke gives us these worrisome Pharisees. As much as we would like to think we are the disciples in this drama, in this moment we are more like the Pharisees. The disciples are dancing, throwing down their cloaks, singing praises. Now, come on, if we were honest, how many of us are comfortable with this kind of let it all go kind of celebration of Jesus? Why most of us feel silly with these palms! We don’t know what to do with them, we feel childish waving them, we are not at all comfortable with all out praise parades for Jesus. It goes against our more reserved natures. We are with the Pharisees when they ask Jesus to get the singers and parade folk to just tone it down a bit- ask them to be quiet- we don’t want to seem to be fanatics, do we? The Pharisees don’t want any trouble from the establishment, they are trying to quiet things down. They want those in authority to accept them, even if it means giving up some of what God wants.

And then Jesus, in his inimitable way, reminds us that even if we were to silence the most faithful disciple, the very rocks and stones would pick up the singing. Why? Because all of creation, even the stones and rocks, long for the day of salvation. Our worry about what is proper, or in order, will not silence the voices that sing of God’s peace and justice, that proclaim Christ’s salvation. And this is a salvation that will challenge the status quo, that will call into account all who do not seek God’s reign on earth.

This is the moment that every other moment of Jesus’ life has led to; this turn in the road, which leads to the cross. He would die to be the face of the compassionate God who would let nothing come between us and the love that holds us every day of our lives. And because of this turn, we have to decide once again, whether we are ready and willing to follow Jesus, not just as part of this parade, but through the humiliation, and the mockery, and the suffering, all the way to the cross.

This moment poses to all of us the question: why have we been traveling with Jesus? Is it to have OUR hopes and dreams fulfilled? Is it to be on the winning team? Is it to sing praises as long as Christ fulfills our expectations? Why have we traveled this long? Why have we come along the way? Are we willing now to take this turn in the road, to go on when it is not so popular, when the government and culture no longer supports us, to stand with Jesus, to take it as he did. Can we do that?

This is one of those moments when we wish we had more than the words of the gospel writers. Because I believe that if we could have looked into the eyes of Jesus we could have seen the dread and sadness, and we could have connected with that. How often have we come here to worship, with songs of praise and prayers of thanksgiving on our lips and yet our hearts were wrenching with hurt or pain? How often is our worship tinged with the sorrow of our lives? Jesus, as he rode into Jerusalem, knew what it would cost to be King of Heaven, to save those he had come to love. So it was a gratitude mixed with sadness. As it is for us all. Just one more way that Jesus learned what it was to be human.

You see, this day is not just about Jesus and what he would do. We already know the lengths and depths of his love for us. Now this day is about us…what is the length to which our love for him will go? What is the depths to which our love will go? Will we make that turn in the road, will we not only ascend to the Mt. of Olives where all is lush and green, but will we descend to Jerusalem, where the power of politics and the forces of the world will challenge us to stand for peace, to be the face of our compassionate God, just as they did to Jesus? Can we be the ones who make sure that nothing comes between God’s children and the holy love that holds us all every day of our lives?

Or will we leave that to the stones to cry out? Amen.

St. John's Westminster Union Church
1085 Neeb Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio 45233
(513) 347-4613