TWO CROWDS – ONE VOICE
Isaiah 5:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14-23:56
One of the more remarkable aspects of the gospel we just heard is the WAY in which we heard it. This week is the only time that the gospel is proclaimed by someone besides a priest or deacon – every individual in this church takes part. It’s a great privilege. And it – literally — gives us a role in Christ’s passion. We are the CROWD.
Palm Sunday is a tale of two crowds. One waves palm branches at the city gates and shouts “Hosannas” in welcome and homage to their prophet, their warrior, their hero. The other shakes their fists in Pilate’s courtyard and shouts, “Crucify him!” in condemnation of the one accused of being a criminal, a blasphemer, a traitor. Two crowds – one voice: OURS. We are the CROWD and how easily we turn. How quickly we pivot from faithful to faithless … from belief to doubt … from being disciples, to being betrayers.
But we are also part of a third crowd, and that crowd is the Church, a Church who, as we journey forward this Holy Week, looks upon the cross and sees neither a criminal nor a warrior. What we do see is the self-offering love of God who eschews hatred and revenge, who knows only mercy and faithfulness, and whose only desire is to be with us in all of life. We are a Church who longs for next Sunday, when we will shout a new cry, “ALLELUIA! HE IS RISEN!” not to a prophet, warrior or hero, nor to a criminal, blasphemer or traitor. But to the one who is Savior and Lord.
