Scripture Text (NRSV)
Luke 22:14-23:56
22:14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the
apostles with him.
22:15 He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover
with you before I suffer;
22:16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in
the kingdom of God."
22:17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, "Take
this and divide it among yourselves;
22:18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit
of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."
22:19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks,
he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is
given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
22:20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This
cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
22:21 But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is
on the table.
22:22 For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but
woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!"
22:23 Then they began to ask one another, which one of them it
could be who would do this.
22:24 A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was
to be regarded as the greatest.
22:25 But he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over
them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors.
22:26 But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must
become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves.
22:27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one
who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one
who serves.
22:28 "You are those who have stood by me in my trials;
22:29 and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a
kingdom,
22:30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and
you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
22:31 "Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you
like wheat,
22:32 but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail;
and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
22:33 And he said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to
prison and to death!"
22:34 Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this
day, until you have denied three times that you know me."
22:35 He said to them, "When I sent you out without a purse, bag,
or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "No, not a thing."
22:36 He said to them, "But now, the one who has a purse must take
it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his
cloak and buy one.
22:37 For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, 'And
he was counted among the lawless'; and indeed what is written about me
is being fulfilled."
22:38 They said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." He replied, "It
is enough."
22:39 He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of
Olives; and the disciples followed him.
22:40 When he reached the place, he said to them, "Pray that you
may not come into the time of trial."
22:41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down,
and prayed,
22:42 "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet,
not my will but yours be done."
22:43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him
strength.
22:44 In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became
like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.
22:45 When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and
found them sleeping because of grief,
22:46 and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray
that you may not come into the time of trial."
22:47 While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the
one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached
Jesus to kiss him;
22:48 but Jesus said to him, "Judas, is it with a kiss that you are
betraying the Son of Man?"
22:49 When those who were around him saw what was coming, they
asked, "Lord, should we strike with the sword?"
22:50 Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut
off his right ear.
22:51 But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and
healed him.
22:52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the
temple police, and the elders who had come for him, "Have you come out
with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit?
22:53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not
lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!"
22:54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the
high priest's house. But Peter was following at a distance.
22:55 When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard
and sat down together, Peter sat among them.
22:56 Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at
him and said, "This man also was with him."
22:57 But he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know him."
22:58 A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, "You also
are one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not!"
22:59 Then about an hour later still another kept insisting,
"Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean."
22:60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking
about!" At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed.
22:61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered
the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the cock crows
today, you will deny me three times."
22:62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
22:63 Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat
him;
22:64 they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, "Prophesy! Who
is it that struck you?"
22:65 They kept heaping many other insults on him.
22:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both
chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to
their council.
22:67 They said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us." He replied, "If
I tell you, you will not believe;
22:68 and if I question you, you will not answer.
22:69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right
hand of the power of God."
22:70 All of them asked, "Are you, then, the Son of God?" He said
to them, "You say that I am."
22:71 Then they said, "What further testimony do we need? We have
heard it ourselves from his own lips!"
23:1 Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before
Pilate.
23:2 They began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man
perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and
saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king."
23:3 Then Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He
answered, "You say so."
23:4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find
no basis for an accusation against this man."
23:5 But they were insistent and said, "He stirs up the people by
teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to
this place."
23:6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a
Galilean.
23:7 And when he learned that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he
sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.
23:8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been
wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and
was hoping to see him perform some sign.
23:9 He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no
answer.
23:10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently
accusing him.
23:11 Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and
mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to
Pilate.
23:12 That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each
other; before this they had been enemies.
23:13 Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders,
and the people,
23:14 and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was
perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence
and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him.
23:15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has
done nothing to deserve death.
23:16 I will therefore have him flogged and release him."
23:18 Then they all shouted out together, "Away with this fellow!
Release Barabbas for us!"
23:19 (This was a man who had been put in prison for an
insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)
23:20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again;
23:21 but they kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him!"
23:22 A third time he said to them, "Why, what evil has he done? I
have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will
therefore have him flogged and then release him."
23:23 But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he
should be crucified; and their voices prevailed.
23:24 So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be
granted.
23:25 He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put
in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as
they wished.
23:26 As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who
was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made
him carry it behind Jesus.
23:27 A great number of the people followed him, and among them
were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him.
23:28 But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem,
do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
23:29 For the days are surely coming when they will say, 'Blessed
are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that
never nursed.'
23:30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us';
and to the hills, 'Cover us.'
23:31 For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen
when it is dry?"
23:32 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put
to death with him.
23:33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they
crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on
his left.
23:34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know
what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing.
23:35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at
him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the
Messiah of God, his chosen one!"
23:36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour
wine,
23:37 and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"
23:38 There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of
the Jews."
23:39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him
and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"
23:40 But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God,
since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
23:41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting
what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong."
23:42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your
kingdom."
23:43 He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in
Paradise."
23:44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land
until three in the afternoon,
23:45 while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple
was torn in two.
23:46 Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into
your hands I commend my spirit." Having said this, he breathed his
last.
23:47 When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God
and said, "Certainly this man was innocent."
23:48 And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this
spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their
breasts.
23:49 But all his acquaintances, including the women who had
followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
23:50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who,
though a member of the council,
23:51 had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the
Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the
kingdom of God.
23:52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
23:53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid
it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid.
23:54 It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning.
23:55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and
they saw the tomb and how his body was laid.
23:56 Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the
sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Comments:
The passion story in Luke's gospel is filled with human and cosmic
images of what God is doing through the death of Jesus: restoring all
creation to the grace and peace of paradise.
"Why didn't you say something?" the silent bystanders of Nazi Germany
are often asked. "How could you sell out so badly?" a contemporary
missionary pastor is asked when, in order to be allowed to offer a
Christian presence in a country still hostile toward Christianity, she
voluntarily vowed not to baptize anyone. The answers to these
questions are bleak at best. "What could we do?" reply the former. "I
did what I could," shrugs the missionary.
"What would I have done?" the hearer of today's passion reading is
compelled to ask, afraid of already knowing the answer. "What do I do
in the face of world hunger, the threat of war, the plight of the
homeless?" Indeed, today's reading confronts each of us with the
pervasive and damning power of silence. Herod questions Jesus at some
length; Jesus gives him no answer. Lots are cast to divide Jesus'
clothes; "the people stood by, watching." Jesus breathes his last;
"but all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him
from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things."
Indeed, "too little, too late" is the judgment when the silent
bystanders, at last, take action. The damage is done already when
Joseph, who at least had the courage to disagree with his fellow
council members, wraps the body in grave clothes; when the bystanding
centurion announces Christ's innocence; when the women who followed
him from Galilee prepare spices and ointments.
Yet, we are not, like the silent crowd, sent home today "beating our
breasts." For the gospel cannot be contained by human silence. The
good news today has come through the stones. In our processional
gospel, Jesus declares that if his disciples were silenced, "the
stones would shout out." Better yet, absolution is declared even
before the threefold sin of denial, when Jesus counsels Simon "the
Rock" Peter: "after you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
It is both our indictment and our hope when we, today, with the crowds
cry out, "Hosanna! Save us Lord!" For he has come for this very
purpose.
Throughout Lent we have journeyed with Jesus, beginning with entering
the wilderness and now ending with entering Jerusalem. In contrast to
the quiet desolation of the wilderness, this entry is marked by not
only the teeming of the city but also by disciples shouting, "Blessed
is the king that comes in the name of the Lord!" So much has happened
since Jesus emerged from the wilderness: teaching and healing that has
given the people a vision of who Jesus will be for them. But just as
Jesus revealed a purpose beyond the temptations offered to him in the
wilderness, here he will keep moving beyond the jubilant crowds of
followers towards the true revelation of his identity and purpose on
the cross.
The gospel writer tells us that the throngs of disciples are shouting
triumphantly because of the deeds of power they have witnessed along
their journey with Jesus. Jesus has told them, however, that the
ultimate revelation of his identity and salvation will be his
betrayal, death, and resurrection (9:22). This shift towards a
completely surprising revelation begins with Jesus entering Jerusalem
riding on the back of a donkey, recalling the messianic promise: "Your
king comes to you...humble and riding on a donkey" (Zech 9:9). Kings
serve by ruling, but Jesus is one who rules by serving, even to the
point of suffering and death. In this gospel's account of the Last
Supper, the humility of Jesus is highlighted by having him remind the
disciples that "the greatest among you must become like the youngest,
and the leader like one who serves" (Lk 22:26).
The writer of Luke intends readers to understand that the events of
this week are part of the plan of God and that Jesus understands
himself to be engaged in the fulfilment of that plan (Lk 18:31,
22:37). This plan will not be thwarted. If the disciples stop their
proclamations, then even the stones will cry out.
This plan does not end with Jesus' resurrection. The second volume of
this two- volume work that is Luke-Acts takes up God's plan in the
life of the church. All through this final week are warnings and hints
about the struggle there will be in the lives of the faithful (Lk
22:28-33, 23:28-31). Jesus' conduct during his trial becomes a model
for the faithful in their trials. The promise of Jesus' resurrection
becomes a promise for the survival and growth of the church.
With all the debate around "The Passion of Christ," I'm thinking that
there is more of a need to read this entire passion account on Sunday.
Ralph Milton's "Reader's Theatre" version is faithful to the text in
Luke and can be found in his Rumors newsletter at joinhands.com. I
think it'll be a part of our Sunday morning worship. Mark in NC
We read the entire passion story each year from either Matthew, Mark,
or Luke (depending on the lectionary cycle) then on Good Friday we
read the whole thing from John every year.
Augsburg Fortress publishes pamphlets for congregational reading
adapted from the NRSV. For instance, the Luke story has parts for
Narrator, Jesus, Peter, People (the whole congregation), Centurion,
Servant, Witness, Pilate, First Criminal, Second Criminal.
After a procession with palms and the dramatic reading of the passion
there's really not much need of a sermon on this day. I didn't preach
last year but this year I've prepared a sermon but only half the
length of one of my typical sermons.
Shalom
This is a quick thought. Those who have read my posts before know I'm
a perenial 3-point guy. I see - hands. There are many hands here.
1) Pilate's hands - Jesus was delivered into the hands of the soldiers
(22:53) and then into the hands of Pilate. Although our text here does
not say it, Pilate's hands are washed of this matter. Pilate wants no
part in Jesus' death. We, however, if we are to be redeemed, must
confess our hands are unwashed.
2) Jesus' hands are nailed to the cross and His hands bear my sin. If
my sin is to be forgiven, I must lay my sin in His hands and realize
He is there because of me.
3) The Father's hands now bear Jesus' spirit as friends' hands bear
Jesus' body. William Barclay writes, "That is Psalm 31:5 with one word
added--Father. That verse was the prayer every Jewish mother taught
her child to say last thing at night. Just as we were taught, maybe,
to say, 'This night I lay me down to sleep,' so the Jewish mother
taught her child to say, before the threatening dark came down, 'Into
thy hands I commit my spirit.' Jesus made it even more lovely for he
began it with the word Father. Even on a cross Jesus died like a child
falling asleep in his father's arms."
JG in WI
JG in WI,
Got another point for you to cement your hands theory: check out the
Greek word for betray/s/ed. Nine times out of ten it is the word more
accurately translated as "handed over."
RB in PA
AHOC in MA March 25, 2007 Help friends, I am feeling rather unexcited
about preaching Palm Sunday and Easter. It feels flat to me this year.
Anyone else in the same boat?
I am struggling to make this most holy of weeks seem "new". How can we
recapture the emotions of this special time when we have heard the
story again and again? One pastor friend of mine thinks we should have
Christmas and then have Easter 33 years later to make the impact of
that first Easter! But short of that, how do we make this familiar
story relevant and fresh for ourselves and our congregations?
One way that we will make the story new in this congregation is that
we are doing the passion narrative in a lessons and carols format
closing with communion. We will also have both a Holy Thursday and
Good Friday service (not done in this congregation for at least 7
years). This congregation has not experienced the passion story in
worship in a while and they are excited about the approach that we're
taking.
It's quite sad, isn't it, when we can't get excited by Easter... I'm
thinking of making it an interactive service, so things to do as they
walk through the door... word searches that need to be un-muddled,
codes to be broken, all containing Easter messages hidden away within
them. Asking the children to design flags to wave at the passing
Christ on a donkey, colouring in donkey masks, having old sheets or
towels for people to lay down in front of the donkey. So a whole mess
of people doing different things, with (of course) those who don't
want to do anything sitting and watching. After 10 minutes calling
them all together, telling them it's time... then discussing the
different times of Jesus' life, healing time, time to choose
disciples, time to tell a parable, time to share bread and fish etc.
until eventually it's time to ride to Jerusalem. Then inviting people
to cheer and wave flags, towels/sheets etc as Jesus rides on a donkey
(piggy-back) around the church. Then play television interviewer
asking the different people how they felt. Why the celebration, what
are they expecting? Perhaps when people leave giving them a small
stone to take with them, for if the stones will cry out, then why
don't they? It all seems a little rough around the edges at the
moment, but I'll keep working! Hope it helps someone!
Wayne, I like your idea of lessons and carols. I had contemplated that
but I didn't think of it in time to prep the choir. This congregation
struggles with Palm Sunday and Easter seeming like just another Sunday
worship - the flowers in the sanctuary change but the ethos doesn't. I
hate being "frozen chosen"! :-)
I have a question and a comment: A) Does anyone know why we read a
whole passion narrative on this Sunday? Why don't we leave the passion
narrative, especially the arrest, trial, and crucifixion parts for
Good Friday? Do we read this on sunday just in case people don't go to
church on Friday?
B) I would prefer to focus on the palm entry theme, as well as the
theme of Jesus going to the Temple. I've been intrigued by the
description of Jesus going to the Temple (See in Mark 11.15 to 12.34)
Jesus overturns the money changers tables. Then, he is asked : By what
authority do you act? (11.27-33) A little later, he is asked: Is it
lawful to pay taxes to Caesar? (12.13-17) Then he is asked about the
resurrection (12.18-27), and finally he is asked "what is the greatest
commandment? (12.28-34) And then it reads: AND AFTER THAT NO ONE DARED
TO ASK HIM ANY QUESTIONS...... So, Jesus, the Messiah comes to the
Temple, he is asked all the hot-button, emotional questions of the
day, he answers (or does he?) these questions, and then there is
SILENCE in the Temple.......the troubled religious mind is quietened
in the presence of the Word.....isn't that amazing??????
David,Vancouver, Canada.
Perhaps you, like me, wonder who we really are as ones who claim to
embrace this one named Jesus. Each time I think of how we often
posture ourselves in the world, I find my throat sticking on his
words, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven …”
And I wonder what it all means when we seek to embrace Jesus, but are
apparently not too keen on the things that he professes to believe.
For it seems to me, when I offer a critical glance at the actions of
many of us in the world, my self included, not only are we not seeking
to love our enemies, but we are actively engaged in killing them with
either our weapons, or for those lesser enemies, with our words. I
wonder, how might the world be different if we didn’t simply say we
believed in Jesus, but believed in what he believed enough to live it
out? Do we believe in the things he says, or is it all just so much
hyperbole?
And so we cry out, wave our palm branches, and welcome the triumphant
King, welcome the one who comes victorious! Yet, we refuse to see that
it is war he is done with, refuse to see that he takes the ass rather
than the steed so that we will know absolutely that he is the one of
peace, that he is the one who makes it possible to love, that he is
the one who rejects the chariots of Ephraim and the war horses of
Jerusalem. And yet we continue to shout, “peace in heaven,” perhaps
because we knew, we would never tolerate peace on earth. No wonder
Jesus weeps.
In a couple of weeks, so many of us will enter our halls of worship
and will weep at the thought of this person, this Son of Man, this
Light of the World, who was stripped, beaten, and mocked – all the
while, offering no defense, and no acts or words of violence. When the
degradation was complete, we hung his bloody body on a device of
torture and left him with a sign meant to be the greatest irony, the
ultimate hyperbole – King of the Jews.
And what did he leave with us … “Father forgive them, for they haven’t
a clue what they are doing.”
I pray that one day we might … have a clue … about what we do.
Perhaps then, we can look to one another and simply love each other …
children … of heaven.
Some years I have stuck to the Triumphal Entry and allowed the rest of
the week to unfold through Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services
also in my previous church we had an Easter prayer vigil where from
noon of Good Friday through Sunrise Service on Easter someone (or
ones) were in the sanctuary reading scripture and praying. However, I
also know that many in the congregation do not particiapte in these
acts of worship and devotion... they go from the excitement of Palm
Sunday to the joy of Easter and never pause to think what happened
between the two. In other words, they go from mountain top to mountain
top without delving into the valley between. Therefore, I try to
transition through the Palm Sunday worship from the joy of Palm Sunday
to the praying in the Garden of Gethesemne then on Thursday we begin
at the Last Supper through the garden to the arrest and on Friday from
the arrest to the cross. I think we read the whole Passion as a way to
reiterate the importance of this week to all of humanity.
All week as I’ve been thinking about Palm Sunday and Holy Week and the
sermons I have to write, there has been a song going through my head.
Now this isn’t unusual, there is often a song stuck in my head on
automatic rewind—--some years it’s “O Sacred Head Now Wounded with
Grief and pain weighed down” other years it’s “Were You There When
they Crucified My Lord?”. But this year is different somehow. The song
going through my head over the last week or two is an old camp song
that goes like this: Were you ever in Quebec stowing timber on a deck
where there’s a king with a golden crown riding on a donkey, Hey ho
way we go donkey riding, donkey riding. Hey, ho way we go, riding on a
donkey!”
That is hardly the song that memorable Holy Week services are made of,
I doubt that I could even get Warren, our organist, to play it for me!
But there it is in my head, playing over and over- donkey riding,
donkey riding, hey ho away we go riding on a donkey” There are even
motions for it, making the song even sillier- with a riding motion
alternating with fingers for donkey ears! But then donkey riding is
rather silly, isn’t it? And the image of a great king riding on a
donkey is somehow all wrong!
And yet, when we read the various gospel accounts of Jesus “triumphal”
entry into Jerusalem that is exactly the image they bring to mind, the
story that they tell- a king, no make that the king of kings, the Lord
of Lord, the very son of God, riding into town on a donkey, an ass, a
young horselike creature with big ears and a slow bumpy gate.
That is no way for a king to arrive in triumph- he should be riding a
fierce stallion, a white charger, all decked out with fancy saddle,
tassles on it’s tail, a braided mane perhaps, accompanied by an entire
regiment of knights in shining armor as the only company fit to
accompany a king. That would be the proper way for a king to arrive,
and would send the proper message to the people- the message of
change, of liberation, of power that would relieve their oppression
and set things right!
On this Palm Sunday, with our palms and cloaks scattered in the aisle,
we need to think about donkey riding, we need to think about what
message Jesus was sending by his arrival on that donkey…
Finally some direction! (Thanks for making me really thin about it
Wayne in TN!) I am going to read a segment of the Passion narrative
with the congregation responding by singing a verse of "Ride On! Ride
on in Majesty!". We'll work our way from Palm Sunday through the
crucifixion this way and then the bell choir will play "Beneath the
Cross of Jesus" and we'll have time for silent meditation. Then after
some silent time we will stand and affirm our faith through the Scots
Confession (Chapter IX). Yay! Finally something to work with/toward -
praise God!
Each year on Palm Sunday I resist including the Passion narrative. I
am resistant to "giving in" to those who don't want to give of their
time during Holy Week to relive the passion and death of our Savior.
Is there anyone else out there who feels this way? I would like to
just celebrate Palm Sunday and then have the folks come out for the
Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services so tht they might live out
and journey with Jesus through this time. The Resurrection follows the
Passion and death. It does not occur with just the singing of "The
Palms." (Well, we know that it will, but you get my point.)
I just read the passion narrative, don't preach. Afterward, we do a
few minutes of silent reflection followed by the Apostle's Creed. I've
given in. Since most folks don't come out for Maundy Thrs. or Good
Fri. services, I do the palm/passion emphasis. I include the passion
because I don't want folks going from Palm Sunday to Easter without
the passion.
As a Lutheran, we have the Palm/Passion tension and read both texts
during the service, and in our parish, preaching after the passion
text. I have been noodling over the fact that this Sunday occurs on
April 1st and who in these texts, if anyone felt like they were made a
"fool" of? Thinking about being a "fool" for Christ and what that
might look like today. The throngs welcomed Jesus as the hoped for
warrior king, but this not being the case, he became a political
liability and was betrayed and crucified. Do we look foolish to those
who are driving by our church on Palm Sunday morning and see us waving
palm branches and singing 'All Glory, Laud and Honor' loudly in an
assortment of musical keys? I suspect that some of us definitely feel
foolish! Will continue cogitating...TR in LA
I do the Palm/Passion liturgy in two very distinct parts. The Blessing
of the Palms and joyful procession. This year we will process around
the church to the hymn "Gather Us In". At the conclusion of the
procession, the altar party gathers in the back of the church in
preparation for the principle procession. After that the Passion story
is read. I have done the reading in dramatic parts but this year I'm
just reading it. Works better with different voices. I'll do a short-ish
sermon...not sure of the focus yet...perhaps on "the women who had
followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these
things."
I've been struggling this week too, because circumstances have me
unable to offer Maundy Thursday service and Good Friday. We have these
services available in 'sister' churches, but the reality is that most
of the people in one of my churches will most certainly not attend,
and only a limited number from the other church will get out to both,
although some will get to one or the other. My title is Celebrating
Sorrow, and I am going to combine the celebration of the King arriving
and the sorrow of the Passion, hopefully ending with a feeling of the
sacrifice with a humbling joy for the enormity of the next
celebration...Easter. I really appreciate this site by the way!
TR in LA - I always hope that folks will feel foolish parading around
in front of the neighbors, because then I can preach about how foolish
was the idea that Jesus was coming to be a king. I've had us wear
party hats and really do the procession with a bang, then try to end
worship with the feeling of dragging our feet along with Jesus
carrying the cross. Thanks to everyone for much help from this site.
In my preparation for Palm Sunday, I'm tending toward asking the
question, "How often do we choose the Barabbuses in our lives?"
Barabbus represents the easy way. Jesus, in contrast, invites us to
journey the hard way with him. It's not always the journey we expect
or want, but it is the only one that will allow us to say, "Jesus,
remember me when you come into your kingdom."
