Two Gates, Two Kingdoms

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29             Luke 19:28-40

From the mouths of babes is a brief story:

A little boy was sick on Palm Sunday and stayed home from church with his mother. His father returned from church holding a palm branch.The little boy was curious and asked, "Why do you have that palm branch, dad?"  you see, son, when Jesus came into town, everyone waved Palm Branches to honor him, so we got Palm Branches today."The little boy replied, " Aw Shucks! The one Sunday I miss is the Sunday that Jesus shows up!"

Truth is that Jesus shows up every Sunday.  Symbolized by the lighted candle and Jesus’ promise to us in Matthew 18:20 that he is present when two or three gather in his name.

Now as he was approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” (Luke 19:37-38)

The shouts of praise were not from random crowds but from Jesus’ disciples and people who had been following his ministry.  This makes sense.  They gathered from word of mouth, no facebook, twitter or Instagram to motivate, bring together, and excite those who want to follow Jesus.

If we were present at that time, living in another part of the city, we might hear the trample of horses. Gates opened on the west side as the procession begins. Thousands line the street, throwing flowers and laurels, waving madly, reaching to touch power as it passes them.

The man coming through the gate sits tall in the saddle, looking every bit the champion he is meant to be is Pilate marching in with his military strength to keep the peace.  A peace that benefits the empire, not the people. An autocracy that benefits those in power, only. History does seem to repeat itself.  Sounds like what is going on today in Ukraine We did not win our freedom alone. We depended on our allies

Twenty-five hundred years ago, Zechariah prophesied what Luke tells us is finally fulfilled.  Jesus enters Jerusalem through the East Gate bringing the hope of a people who have longed for centuries for freedom from the powers that crush them.  Blessed is the king! They shout. This was the day they had been praying for. Getting out from under the boot of Rome, where they were Hoping for a political revolution.  But, Jesus is a different kind of king.

Let’s take a moment to talk about the chant Hosanna mentioned in the other gospels and what it means for us now. Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Lindsay,  Minister for Worship and Ministry in the UCC informs us that Hosanna” is not just a word of praise—it’s a plea. “Save us.”

And that cry is all around us today.

Hosanna for our children, growing up in a world of lockdown drills, climate fear, and digital isolation.

Hosanna for our elders, forgotten in a world obsessed with youth and productivity.

Hosanna for our unhoused neighbors, sleeping in tents beneath gleaming city lights.

Hosanna for our Earth, exploited and overheated.

Hosanna for the peacemakers, shouted down by warmongers.

Hosanna for the truth-tellers, canceled or ignored.

Hosanna for the faithful, still walking this road toward justice, not knowing where it ends, but trusting in resurrection.

So here we are – Nearing the end of the Lenten wilderness and soul-searching, getting ready to start of Holy Week, we know what is coming. “It will be horrendous. Despair, gloom, and desperation as well as disbelief, shock, and debilitation will overwhelm Jesus’ followers.” (Rev. Lindsay)

Jesus is Six days from Friday.  All the healing, teaching, calling of disciples, fasting and praying, driving out of demons, calming the waters, multiplying loaves, and the breaking and blessing of bread – all this leads to this moment.  The cross.  Are we willing to follow Jesus to the cross?

This ultimate gift of love, what Jesus did for love - laying down his life. The gift of a father suffering from the death of his son.  A father who grieved him so much that he said no to death.  God is not going to let this happen.  Forever and ultimately compassionate.

But what have we done with this compassion?  In the name of Jesus have been Inquisitions, witch burnings, genocides, lynchings. How God must weep.  Across the centuries, we have turned our eyes away from Jesus.

Even now – God loves us.  God’s grace carries us when we stumble, when we falsely accuse – even when we forget Jesus – Jesus is there.  Jesus lives, breathes, and moves among us. So for today, for this moment – let us sing loud praises to God and throw our cloaks on the ground and shout hosannas.  May we trust Paul who preaches in Romans 8:28 that “We know that all things work together for good[a] for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

Let us sing, let us wave our palms, let us love, and work according to God’s purpose. Let us renew our efforts to build God’s kingdom, overcoming the earthly powers that would destroy it. Amen