Palm Sunday People

Dedicated to my learned friend, where half my brain lives.

Palm Sunday is terribly ironic. The Sunday worshippers would turn on their King come Friday. Typical. What must be remembered is that these were not just fickle peasants led about by the religious leaders. On this side of history we forget the great disappointment of seeing the Hope of Israel battered and bruised in Roman chains. They were seeking a Ruler and got a Shepherd. We are not so different. How often do we want a Jesus to conquer the culture rather than a Jesus to redeem our enemies. Just as they wanted an earthly kingdom, so our religious leaders like Dobson and Robertson want legislated salvation. We don't want an earth that only the meek are fit to inherit. We have become Palm Sunday people.
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. The Hope of Israel lay not in conquest, but in surrender. Our victory in the world is won by dying to the world. Let us put aside politics and programs, marketing and methods. Let us learn to glory in our weakness again, when our only weapon was the Word and the real secret to the Spiritual Life, genuine happiness in God, was not the latest book by the most trendy guru, but the rather unexciting task of earnest prayer. This Easter Season, let us remember that the Kingdom is here. There are no wars left to fight.
"In this world you will have tribulation, but fear not. I have conquered the world."