One of my favorite Palm Sunday stories took place at a church that planned to open its worship service with a grand parade of the children of the congregation, each one waving a triumphant palm branch. The congregation would joyfully sing “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” as the youngsters of church celebrated the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. It started off well. The first couple of boys and girls danced down the center aisle. Then, one of the palm branches accidentally was brushed against the neighboring child. He responded by swinging his branch back at the offender, and before long the entire flock of young ones was engaged in sword fights, head banging, and not-so-pious pushing and shoving. Liturgical disaster.
It happens, doesn’t it? The ones upon whom we have counted to “get it right” fall into their lesser selves and fail in faithfulness. I recognize myself in that group. How about you?
It happened to Jesus. He is at a pivotal moment in His journey and longs for the support of those closest to Him. Jesus is in “distress” (Mark 14:33), “agitation” (Mark 14:33), and “grief” (Mark 14:34). All he wanted was for these dear friends and followers simply to be there for Him. And three times when He came in hopes of having their concerned presence, He found them zonked out, soundly asleep (Mark 14:37, 40, 41).
My failure to be faithful may not always be because I do the wrong thing, but may be because I do nothing at all. Asleep.
Mark 11:1-11 tells of Jesus’ “triumphant entry” into Jerusalem and how the disciples did what needed to be done for the occasion. Mark 14:27-42, on the other hand, depicts “the rest of the story.” These same disciples cannot even stay awake as their Lord moves from triumph to despair.
