This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, beginning with the elaborately choreographed entrance into Jerusalem by Jesus. Soon the festive mood will turn, disciples will flee in fear, and only the women will remain to watch as Jesus is executed by the Roman Empire. Luke's story has no branches, no palm branches thrown on the road--Pastor Nancy asks, "What if that is an intentional choice by the writer of the gospel?"
"Perhaps Luke leaves out the palm branches as a hint for us--as a missing piece which points us to this upside down kingship which Jesus brings. This is no victory parade, Luke is saying to us. If you want military might, then go follow the Romans--let me know how that turns out. But if you know the things that make for peace, true peace, then you'll leave that behind and follow this man, Jesus, the one sent from God. Instead of palm branches to wave, Luke gives us rocks to listen to, rocks lining the road to Jerusalem, silent stones. And yet they are rocks at the ready, ready to testify to the world-changing possibilities which Jesus holds open for us. Even these stones would cry out, Jesus says, calling out with voices that will not be silenced. Even when we choose to say nothing." --Pastor Nancy Gowler
Scripture: Luke 19:28-40
