Palm Sunday- What Kind of King? Matthew 27, Isaiah 53

 In the twentieth-century, many churches began observing an autumn Sunday in honor of Christ the King. The intention may be good, but it sometimes seems a redundant afterthought. The Christian Church has long had another, older, and more directly biblical Sunday with the theme of Christ as King. That is, the last Sunday in Lent, commonly called Palm Sunday. This Sunday already highlights the Messianic kingship of Jesus.

The Scriptures often read on this Sunday reference Jesus as king in different ways. The Old Testament prophecy from Isaiah 53 shows the Suffering Servant who becomes ruler of God's people. Zechariah 9 prophesies the peaceful arrival of God's king to reign over Israel. The Epistle from Philippians 2 refers to Jesus Christ as the great ruler to whom every knee must bend. The four Gospel accounts of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem show Him being honored as the Davidic king. 

The Passion narratives from the Gospels also contain references to the kingship of Jesus. For example, consider the traditional Gospel for the Sunday from Matthew 27. Jesus and Pilate discuss kingship. The Roman soldiers in their hall cruelly ridicule Jesus as a Jewish king. At Golgotha, the crowds, the Jewish leaders, the Roman soldiers, and the impenitent thief all taunt Jesus for being a humiliated king. Roman officials mock Jesus and the Jews by attaching the official accusation "King of the Jews" to the cross. Although His enemies and even His disciples fail to understand the spiritual nature of His kingdom, He suffers and dies because He is king of God's people.

It should be clear that Palm Sunday and Holy Week concern Jesus as the divinely anointed King. The question is what kind of king He is. Many people in the first century were looking for a king, and some hoped that Jesus might be the One, but He did not meet their expectations. They wanted a king who offered external worldly power and material benefits. They did not want a king who humbly offered spiritual and moral benefits. Unfortunately, many people, even many who claim to be Christians, still have similar worldly expectations. However, Jesus transforms the idea of king, and in humility, He offers us a different way. Let us use this Holy Week to reflect on Him, cast off our false hopes, and turn to Him as true king of our minds, hearts, and souls!

Lent V, commonly called Passion Sunday- John 6, Hebrews 9

Some newer liturgical calendars call the Sunday before Easter (popularly called Palm Sunday) Passion Sunday because the Passion Gospel is read. However, some other calendars (including the 1927/28 Proposed English, the 1928 American, the 1962 Canadian, and the 2019 ACNA Books of Common Prayer) use the older popular designation of the Fifth Sunday in Lent as "Passion Sunday."

The readings in the 1928 BCP are consistent with the Passion Sunday designation. The Gospel from John 6 points to the theological conflicts that led to plots against Jesus. The Epistle from Hebrews 9:11-15 turns our thoughts to the significance of Christ's passion and death. Hebrews 9:11 speaks of Christ as "high priest of good things to come." Hebrews 9:12 adds, "... by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." Comparing the self-sacrifice of Christ to the old temple sacrifices, Hebrews 9:14 exclaims, "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God"! Hebrew 9:15 concludes that Christ brings "the promise of eternal inheritance."

On Palm Sunday and during Holy Week, we will spend a lot of time focusing on the details of our Lord's Passion and Death. On the Fifth Sunday in Lent, Passion Sunday, let us take time for some preliminary and personal reflections about why He suffered and what His sacrifice means for us.

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary- 25 March- Luke 1

Since the early centuries of the Church, some Christians have observed the Annunciation of Christ's Incarnation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, usually on March 25.  On this feast, we think of many things: the redemptive purpose of God the Father, the splendor of the messenger Gabriel, the humility, obedience, and faith of the Virgin Mary, and the mystery of our Lord's Incarnation. Since this feast usually falls during Lent, we also see the strong connection of these wondrous aspects of the story with the Passion, Cross, and Resurrection of the One whose Birth is announced.

The Collect of the Day admirably summarizes the relationship between the Annunciation and the other events of redemption that we contemplate during Lent:

We beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts; that, as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought into the glory of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lent IV- The Prophet That Should Come- John 6:1-14

The Gospel for the Fourth Sunday in Lent is from St. John 6:1-14. These verses form one of the four accounts of the miraculous Feeding of Five Thousand, an event found in all the gospels. These accounts have several themes., but, this time, I would simply focus on one theme that is sometimes neglected.  That theme, especially noticeable in St. John's presentation, is a Messianic theme related to Moses. The passage contains Messianic allusions comparing Jesus with Moses. 

At the beginning of John 6, Jesus goes up on a mountain or hill to teach the people. This is a reminder of Moses who went up on the mount and came down to proclaim God’s Law to the Israelites. Providing food for God’s people in the wilderness is also reminiscent of what Moses did. And at the end of our passage, the people acknowledge Jesus as "that prophet that should come into the world" (John 6:14). In Deuteronomy 18:15, Moses predicted that God would raise up a prophet like him and that Israel must listen to that new Moses.

 In the first century, being a new Moses was one of the roles expected from the Messiah, and several New Testament passages see Jesus fulfilling this prophecy. Jesus brings the last great revelation from God the Father. He restates, re-applies, and deepens the divine Law. As the Transfiguration implies, Jesus completes and supersedes Moses and the other prophets. As Hebrews 3:3 says, “For this man [that is, Jesus] was accounted of more glory than Moses….” In other words, Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. He is the new and greater Moses. He brings the ultimate message from the Lord God, and we must listen to Him and heed Him in all that we think, say, and do. 

Being more deliberate in hearing and obeying Jesus as the greatest prophet and Messianic king is one of the great purposes of Lent. During Lent, many Christians focus on devotional preparations and spiritual disciplines. And we do need renewed dedication in these matters. Yet, our Gospel from John 6 reminds us that renewal is not just about our efforts. Lent is about focusing on Jesus. He is the great prophet, priest, and king. He reveals God’s will, and He seeks to save us. So in faith, we must heed Him and accept His guidance.

Lent III- For Him or Against Him? Luke 9:50; Luke 11:23

The Gospel for the Third Sunday in Lent is from Luke 11:14-28 and contains a variety of sayings. A striking verse is Luke 11: 23a "He that is not with me is against me." Taken in isolation, this saying may seem to contradict an earlier saying from Luke 9:50b "for he that is not against us is for us." Of course, orthodox Christians do not think that Christ really contradicts Himself. He is truth personified. So we look at the Scriptural context to understand the two sayings.

In Luke 9, the context is about "unofficial" disciples. Someone who is not part of the band of disciples is doing good things in Jesus' name. Although John and the other apostles are zealous to protect Christ's reputation, the Master warns them not to go too far. Anyone who is really trying to follow Jesus and bring healing in His name is not an enemy.

In Luke 11, the context is very different. Opposition to the person and ministry of Jesus is becoming more intense. Some in the crowds have doubts, some blasphemously accuse Him of being in league with the devil, and some cynically and hypocritically want to test Him and show Him up. In such circumstances, neutrality and mild admiration are no longer options. In this context, people face a radical choice: one is either for Jesus Christ or against Him.

We can see these two sayings of our Lord within the development of Jesus' earthly ministry. In the earlier days of His work, the lines between support or opposition tended to be more fluid. However, as evil forces and people became more determined to destroy Jesus Christ, the choices became more drastic.

The same sort of development continues to take place in our time. Sometimes, there are sincere followers of Jesus who may not have the best instruction or credentials. Such people may still serve Christ and not be against Him. On the other hand, we are surrounded by a "post-Christian" culture where opposition to Christ has taken on a new fury. In such a context, we must make clear spiritual and moral choices in order to be for Jesus Christ. Let us pray for grace and wisdom to distinguish such contexts and make good choices! Guided by His Word and His Spirit, may we always be for Him!

Lent II- Humble and Persistent Faith- Matthew 15:21-28

The Gospel for the Second Sunday in Lent is the striking story of the Canaanite woman from Matthew 15: 21-28. In this encounter, a Gentile from a despised pagan background seeks healing for her daughter. After testing both the woman and His disciples by a delay, Jesus recognizes the woman's faith and heals the daughter. 

Besides highlighting the importance of faith in Christ, this event points us toward two virtues that complement faith. The woman is both humble and persistent. She does not claim great things for herself; she simply appeals to Christ's grace and mercy. And she does not give up despite Jesus' hesitation or the disciples' opposition. Her humble and persistent faith allows Christ to work in an unexpected way among unexpected people. Such is the good news at the end of the story.

The dynamics of this story apply to us. Our faith in Christ also needs to be humble and persistent, and Lent should be a special reminder of these characteristics. We are all sinners who have no right to demand things from God or to set a timetable for His responses. We are all lowly petitioners seeking divine favor. So let us trust that He is merciful even to the least worthy, and let us continue to seek His blessings!