No Kings?

Yesterday across the country an estimated 8 million people joined in a protest declaring “No Kings” and this morning we remember the day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey fulfilling the prophecy that Zion’s king would come mounted on a donkey. The whole of Jerusalem was in turmoil wondering if he was going to overcome the Romans; and today we also remember that less than a week later, Jesus the Christ hung on a cross with a sign over his head saying “The King of the Jews.”

Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor did not live in Jerusalem. He lived in Caesarea about 50 miles away. Historians think that he may have been in Jerusalem for the Passover because it was a time when the city filled with thousands of people and so it was important for the Roman occupying force to be very present. It would have taken a couple of days to get there and Pilate would have traveled with a military entourage. So when he arrived in Jerusalem he would have been seated on a war horse – probably a white stallion – and there would have been a lot of pageantry and symbols of military might.

In contrast Jesus rode in on a donkey. He not only fulfilled an ancient prophecy that Zion’s king would come riding a donkey but he also set up a significant contrast with Pilate on his stallion. It is as if he were saying, “Choose you this day whom you shall serve – the kingdom of human power, prestige and violence or the kingdom of God in gentle humility?”

And that is still the question before us today.

Jesus chose to continue his course of non-violent resistance. In the week between our two gospel readings he stood in the temple precinct, the very center of religious authority and preached against the religious leaders, he drove out those who were buying and selling and overturned the tables of the moneychangers and he healed the blind and the lame who came to him. Even though he knew he was in danger he publicly resisted the powers of empire.

When we hear the passion gospel and remember we hear how badly this all turned out, it’s like we have our fingers crossed behind our back, because we know Easter is coming. The disciples didn’t know that. When we resist the powers of empire, the dark powers that seek to turn our world into a place of hatred and retribution and power for the less than 1%, then like the disciples, we don’t know how it’s going to turn out in the short term. It is risky.

But it is following the path of Christ. It is following our calling as the people of God.

Our New Testament reading this morning from Philippians is perhaps the key to the reign of God, the kingdom of heaven, “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.

Let us have the courage to resist the kings, the powers of this world whose paths bring death and destruction and have the same mind as Christ Jesus who brought healing, peace, justice and new resurrection life.

the Rev. Dr. Caroline Hall