Lent-So, you are a King?

This was the drawing I did for the cover of the bulletin for my Mom’s Memorial Service in 1983.

Palm Sunday will be this coming Sunday. It is one of my favorite days! I love the joyful celebration of the waving of palm branches and the crowds of people who have laid down their cloaks to make a path for Jesus riding a donkey into Jerusalem. They shout, “Hosanna”, which means “Save us!” He is their King!

The crowd sees it as a victory celebration. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Jesus has planned the whole grand entry, sending his disciples ahead to get the donkey. Prophecy is being fulfilled…”Your king is coming to you, humble and mounted on a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9). When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up asking, “WHO IS THIS?” (Matthew 21:10). Ah, something for us to note…Jesus comes STIRRING EVERYTHING UP. The expected picture of a king coming in victory would be more like a knight in shining armor, mounted on a big white horse. Jesus has turned the picture upside down by riding humbly on an unexpected donkey!

Painting by artist Meg Harper

The drama unfolds as the events of the passion of Holy Week take place. Jesus is arrested and stands before Pilate wearing a crown of thorns.

Pilate asks the question, “So, you are a king?” (John 18:37). Jesus says he has come to bear witness to the truth. Pilate then asks what is perhaps the most profound question of all, “WHAT IS TRUTH?”.

A king on a donkey, a crown of thorns, victory on a cross, life through death, and the REAL KING says, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” It seems to me as we enter this last week of our Journey of Lent, we ought to expect that somewhere along the way, the truth will not be what we expected. But Jesus came to bear witness to the truth, and he says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!” (John 8:32). Let us keep our hearts and minds open to receiving the truth. Is the Jesus I know now the Jesus that I used to know? Is the Jesus yet to be revealed to me the Jesus I expect him to be? …”So, you are a King??” Come, Lord Jesus, Come! Bring the truth!

Pondering…

Can you and I be open to truth yet to be revealed to us this Holy Week?

Watch, listen, expect the unexpected. Have a wonderful Palm Sunday!