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 VI commonly called Palm Sunday- Mark 11; Matthew 27

This last Sunday in Lent is commonly called Palm Sunday by many Christians. The triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem at the beginning of the first Holy Week started being observed publicly in Palestine in the early fourth century. However, Books of Common Prayer from 1549 until the 1928 revision did not call it Palm Sunday. The 1928 BCP restored the title Palm Sunday, and it included the account from St. Mark 11 for an alternate Morning Prayer lesson. In addition, many Anglicans have included the Liturgy of the Palms from other sources.

Certainly, the story of Christ's entrance into Jerusalem should be remembered. The occurrence was rich in symbolism. Jesus came on a donkey as a peaceful king from the ancient East would come to be enthroned. And the children and humble people present that day welcomed and praised Him. He deserved the praise and recognition. He was the true king of God's people, the divinely anointed deliverer. Unfortunately, the crowds still did not really understand Jesus. They did not really accept His spiritual way of being a leader. They were looking for a political deliverer, and as disappointed crowds are apt to do, they would quickly turn on Jesus and accept His crucifixion. 

Thus, the Palm Gospel naturally leads us to the Passion Gospel (Matthew 27) which is the main reading on this day. The events surrounding Christ's Passion are key to the whole Christian message. Holy Week and Easter are the goals of the Incarnation. The Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ are the greatest acts of God for our salvation. Without them, Jesus' birth and ministry would fade into insignificance. Without them, we would have no hope of redemption from our sins, no hope of eternal life. A faithful response to the events of Holy Week and Easter is central to what it means to be Christian. So let us take time throughout this week to listen, read and meditate on these painful but mighty acts of God.