PALM SUNDAY
With Palm Sunday coming up, we have less than two weeks until Easter. But for now, we have a little Lenten work to do. Today’s readings all have a common thematic thread—humble obedience. Let’s jump into these readings, and see how they might speak to us.
ISAIAH 50:4-9a
THE BACKGROUND
Most believe that this part of Isaiah was written during Israel’s exile in Babylon, around 550 BC. They are the third of four song-poems that theologians have called Servant Songs. They describe the experiences of an unnamed servant of the Lord. Who was this servant? Some say it was God’s people, in this case Israel. Some say it describes the prophets. Christians want to conclude that these words refer to Jesus. I would like to say yes and no to all three! But before I do, here are all four song-poems*:
THE DETAIL
- The first thing to note that this song is written in the first person (“me” instead of “he”). It is a personal recounting. Could this be Isaiah sharing his story? (v.4)
- So, the servant’s ears are opened, and He listens to God’s directives. He obeys, and “did not turn backwards”. (vv. 4-5)
- Because of his conviction, he endures pain, suffering, and humiliation. (v. 6)
- Yet he is unmoved. The words “I have set my face like flint…” are striking to me. Have you ever skinned a knee or cut your hand on a sharp rock? This is determination! (v. 7)
- The remaining verses show dignity and resolve in the face of danger. They seem to me to be like a boxer in a ring with his feet firmly planted. “Bring it on!” the servant seems to say. (v. 8)
- And finally, the servant proudly declares that “It is the Lord God who helps me…” With God on his side, the others don’t stand a chance.
THE TAKEAWAY
So who was this servant? The Bible doesn’t say! Let’s look at two or three possibilities.
- Early Christians were quick to see Jesus in these words. The suffering described in Songs 3 & 4 is very descriptive of what Jesus endured. But think about it for a moment. These words were written over 500 years before Jesus walked the earth. The people in exile would not have said “that’s Jesus!” Imagine going into a publisher today with a manuscript that does not make sense, and asking for it to be published. “No, it doesn’t make sense now, but it will in 500 years.” Do you think they’ll publish it? No. These songs must have made sense to the people of Isaiah’s day. These words were preserved for over five centuries before they applied to Jesus. But they sure do apply to Jesus’ suffering…
- Perhaps it applied first to God’s people, suffering for their faith in exile. They were in a foreign land which had weird religious beliefs, customs, and language. The Jews most certainly were outcasts. They were probably ridiculed, and perhaps at times even suffered physical pain for their faith. These songs could have provided them with a spiritual strength to stand up to the opposition, and remain faithful.
- Perhaps Jesus recalled these words during the final days of his time here on earth. Maybe he also drew strength from these words.
- Maybe we can also draw strength from these words, whomever they describe. We are God’s people. These words are also for us. They can describe all of us who suffer for being steadfast in our faith to our Lord in the face of adversity. Yes, I believe that these words were written for all of us.
* Table from “Reading the Old Testament”, Bandstra, chapter 10. Thompson Wadsworth Publishing
PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11
THE BACKGROUND
It is believed that this passage is actually the words to a hymn sung in the very early church. Paul uses these beautiful words to instruct and encourage the church in Philippi.
THE DETAIL
Let’s divide this hymn into three sections.
- The opening line instructs us to have the “same mind” that Jesus had. The Greek word used here for “mind” is phronēte, which also means “thinking.** So one could say that Paul is encouraging us to be so much like Jesus that we actually think like Him. (v. 5)
- Next comes a very interesting point. Jesus used to be in heaven with his Father, but he chose to set all that aside and take on human form. Not only did he do this, he came in the most humble form—a poor carpenter’s son born in a barn. Worse, he suffered a humiliating death for us. (vv. 6-8)
- The song concludes with a hymn of praise. (vv. 9-11)
THE TAKEAWAY
Jesus gave up everything he had going for him, up there in heaven. Yet, he obeyed the will of his Father, and became like us. Not only that, he suffered and died a humiliating death. All this he did because of love.
We are called to “have the same mind” as Jesus. As his disciples, we are to be like Jesus. Just as Jesus was a humble servant for his Father, so should we.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Humility and servitude are not valued commodities today, any more than they were in Jesus’ time. Are we truly prepared to be like Jesus, think like Jesus, and be willing to obediently suffer like Jesus, if called to do so?
** For the record, I do not know ancient Greek. This fact was taken from the commentary found for this Sunday, www.workingpreacher.com.
MARK 11:1-11
THE BACKGROUND
This is not the primary Gospel lesson for this Palm Sunday; it is the alternate Gospel lesson. The primary Gospel lesson involves Jesus’ betrayal, trial, and death on the cross.
THE DETAIL
- Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem with his disciples in tow. He sends two of them ahead to get a donkey colt. The instructions are interesting, and match exactly what happened. Was this yet another miracle, or something that had been prearranged? We do not know. (vv. 1-6)
- Some put their garments on the beast, and Jesus climbs on. A crowd forms. Some throw down their garments into his path, others use palm branches. They shout praises to Jesus, and say “Hosanna”. (vv. 7-10)
- After the “parade”, Jesus checks out the temple. It’s late. He goes back to Bethany to spend the night. (v. 11)
THE TAKEAWAY
- What an odd way to end a passage! “Party’s over, let’s go back to Bethany.” Bethany shows up several times in the Gospels. It is where Lazarus lived with his sisters Mary and Martha. Jesus healed a leper there. Jesus’ feet were anointed there. Bethany, perhaps Lazarus’ home, must have been a sort of home base for Jesus and his disciples. It was only two miles from Jerusalem, about a 40 minute walk.
- There are a few words that we use in frequently church, but many do not know their meaning. Halleluiah is one. I challenge you to define “glory” to me. Hosanna is also one of those words. I don’t think a worship service goes by that I don’t say or sing this word a half a dozen times. What does it mean? I looked it up (again!). The Webster definition means “a cry of acclamation and adoration”. More important to know is what it meant to the Jews of Jesus’ day. In Hebrew, it meant “pray, save us!” They also said “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!” Clearly, they were waiting for a political uprising, and the restoration of the kingdom of Israel. Jesus did indeed save them, but he gave them something more precious than a political kingdom.
- Why did Jesus ride on a young donkey? A triumphant king should make his victorious entry on a war horse. Jesus had the power and authority to do this. But Jesus chose this animal, I believe, to demonstrate his humility. You cannot sit tall and erect, chest puffed out in pride, and do it all atop a baby donkey!
- The road to Jerusalem also leads the opposite way. Going towards Jerusalem meant pain, insult, humility, intense suffering, and death. Jesus could easily have made a U-turn, and saved his hide. But he went “uncomplaining forth”, to obey the will of his Father.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Jesus obeys the Father silently and humbly. Fame and fortune were at his fingertips. He could have had it all. But he chose this path out of love for us.
Putting God first in our lives is not an easy thing. But as Jesus’ disciples, we are called to think like him, and be like him. Let us keep reminding ourselves of his obedience, and “let the same mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus…”.