April 13, 2014
New Life – Morning Glory *Isaiah 50. 4-9a Pastor Jacqueline Hines
Palm Sunday
has arrived. Even though we did not read the scripture lesson, today we
remember Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. As he rode, crowds gathered
and placed their coats and palm branches in front of him because the road was
unpaved and dusty. They cheered Jesus, almost in spontaneous unison – like a
sort of innocent flash mob, a joy-filled parade (slide
#1 of a parade). They were happy as they remembered the blessings of Jesus’
ministry. They had been healed and helped in many ways. There was hope for the days
ahead. The song they were singing was not easy to hear. It sounded like
Hosanna, Hosanna which can mean save us. Save us now – for the people were so
oppressed by government for the Romans were known to be cruel.
Surely,
there is something we bring to the Lord today, something from which our hearts
cry out to be saved.
The crowd
also sang “blessed be the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” This was VERY clear. Everyone knew those words
from Psalm 118 (slide # 2Psalm 118) written 1000
years before Jesus. They sang their hearts out, and they jumped for joy like
little lambs. (slide #3 skipping lambs) (slide #4 more
skipping lambs).
It was a time
like no other in Jerusalem. EVERYBODY
was happy. Jewish brothers and sisters from around the world were celebrating
the Passover. It was a feast commemorating the day the blood of a sacrificial
lamb was marked on the homes of those whom the angel of death PASSED OVER. It
was the night the people of God made their exodus from Egypt – from slavery to
freedom. The Lenten season is a season of liberation for us, too. It is a
season of examining the suffering of Jesus as well as our own suffering as we
wait for our liberation in every area that we need it.
Deliverance
came surprisingly quick that Passover night; As the knock came at the door,
noting we leave tonight, they barely had time to mix some bread for the
journey; there was no time to wait for the bread to rise. That is why the feast
of the Passover is also called the Feast of Unleavened bread or flat bread.
Those coming
to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover traditionally brought lambs. for the priest to inspect and approve
for the great feast; it was to be a male lamb, one-year old, of highest quality,
perfect for a formal banquet, sparing no expense. God did not demand perfection
for perfection’s sake; standards were set high, for anything less than the
highest standard was understood to be an indication of half-heartedness and
disrespect.
They were
instructed to live with the little lamb for 4 days. For four days the lamb lived in their homes
or wherever they camped as one of the family – often three generations per home.
They would all feed the lamb, cuddle it, and love it. When it was time to feast
on the lamb at the banquet, it was sure to be a very emotional time as well as
a time of great gratitude. (slide #5 lamb tied for
sacrifice)
Thousands of
pilgrims traveled long distances; it was practical to buy their lamb from the
shepherds in Bethlehem, just two miles away. One might well visualize a long parade of cute
baby lambs. (slide
# 6 of a parade of lambs) on their way to Jerusalem.
Some
scholars suggest that Jesus did not just ride in to Jerusalem any old time, but
he was a part of that procession of the lambs on their way to the Temple. The
crowd cheered because they recognized him. Once you meet him, you can recognize
him anywhere.
As he rode
into Jerusalem, some must have recalled reading about this day predicted by the
prophet Zechariah in chapter 9 which says “Your king is coming riding on a
donkey,” a symbol of peace. If Jesus wanted to come into the city as a warrior,
he would have ridden a horse, as Aubrey mentioned in his Lenten message on Wednesday.
This
morning’s passage is from the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah had predictions of the
life of Jesus in many more areas than Zechariah. Isaiah predicted the birth of
Jesus as well as his brutal treatment
by those who rejected his message. In
this morning’s passage, Isaiah sees Jesus as a servant of God. Scholars call these
type passages servant songs. We know about peace songs, love songs, silly songs
and marching songs. Isaiah gives us servant
songs that reflect the universal truth that there are those who serve God,
royally and faithfully, no matter what the cost.
The crowd cheering
and following Jesus as he rode knew him because he had served them
sacrificially. He gave his all, even his very life. Today we also join the
crowd. We too remember what the Lord has done for us when we needed him most,
how he has served us with liberating truth and blessed assurance.
As the
parade passes by, Isaiah is like a spectator on the third floor watching. For
him Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is more like the festive Memorial Day parades
we’ve seen. (slide # 7Memorial May parade) Songs
of loyal patriots invoking God’s blessing are played by marching bands, flags
are waving to celebrate, salutes are given to honor the brave returning from
battle, and loud shouts are given proudly like sacred offerings to those who
have put their lives on the line.
Jesus is the
suffering servant coming now as an honored king for all to see. Isaiah describes
the servant as one who is great, not because of wars fought and won but because
every morning he gets his orders directly from for the heavenly father. The
servant willing to suffer is trained military style to endure the faults of
many and see their need. The suffering servant does not suffer for suffering’s
sake but for the sake of the whole world. He is completely confident and
absolutely trusting in God’s guidance and goodness, no matter what happens.
What a feeling! Corrie Ten Boon, after all she went through, could say “No pit
is so deep that God has not gone there before — and his love is deeper still.”
From time to
time, we remind ourselves that there are lessons in our trials. That is ONLY partially true. The deep lessons
from our suffering come when we are patient and keep our hearts open and
vulnerable to hearing every word that comes from the mouth of God. Our VULNERABILITY positions us to
experience GOD’S most vulnerable
moment – the Cross. Hearing God’s gentle voice and loving direction in our most
vulnerable moment makes our mornings glorious!
The loud
shouts of hosannas sung that day are proof and inspiration that we are free to rise
and celebrate because everything is going to be alright. Palm Sunday does carry with it moments with sighs
too deep for words, blood, sweat, and some tears, but the sweet is sweeter than
the bitter. The word "joy" is mentioned 6 times more than the word "sorrow" in the Bible. "Glad" is used 10 times more
than the word "sad." (Barbara Brokhoff Sermons.com)
Isaiah wrote
about a servant who said with confidence in verse 9, with everything I go
through, “The Lord will help me” and if the Lord is with us, who can be against
us? In the Hebrew language, the word for the one who helps the suffering
servant and stands by the suffering servant is a legal term for the next-of-kin
that stands by your side in a court of law, one who supports, defends, and
encourages; an advocate and lawyer who never loses a case because they are just
that good. It brings to mind Matlock and Perry Mason – who never lose a case.
Isaiah gives the assurance in verse 9 that the adversaries and opponents will
wear out and eventually decay like moth-eaten clothes. (Leonard Sweet)
Jesus knew
the Lord would help him, though Jesus’ disciples denied him with a curse and betrayed
him with a kiss. He intentionally joined the parade of peace with power
struggles at every turn. He prearranged his participation in the procession of
the lambs. He even sent the disciples to borrow a donkey. So we too, join him
with grateful cheers and palms that remind us of our liberation and comfort in
times of suffering.
Thomas Ken
was a contemporary of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. They both lived in
the 1700’s. Thomas Ken was a bishop in the Anglican Church, but he is not
remembered for that. He was once chaplain to Princess Mary at The Hague, but he
is not remembered for that. He was once imprisoned in the Tower of London, but
he is not remembered for that. He is remembered for four simple, great lines he
wrote. They formed the last verse of his Morning Hymn. Later, they were in his
Evening Hymn. Then he composed Midnight Hymn, and they are in that, as well.
They are familiar to every Christian in the English speaking world. We sing
them at nearly every worship service: (Barbara Brokhoff Sermons.com)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
For thousands of years,
men and women have been inspired to sing praises to God while joining others in
the parade toward holiness. Let the
celebration begin! (slide #8 baseball high fives) Amen.
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