With Palm Sunday, we only have a week until Easter. But for now, we have a little more Lenten work to do. Today’s readings all have a common thematic thread—humble obedience. Let’s jump into these readings, and see how they might speak to us.
I have chosen the alternate gospel lesson. Normally, we read the entire passion narrative on Palm Sunday. The alternate gospel lesson focuses on Jesus’ entering Jerusalem. The rest of the pre-resurrection story will be handled with a special Holy Week edition.
ISAIAH 50:4-9a
THE BACKGROUND
Most believe that this part of Isaiah was written during Israel’s exile in Babylon, around 550 BC. They are the third of four song-poems that theologians have called Servant Songs. They describe the experiences of an unnamed servant of the Lord. Who was this servant? Some say it was God’s people, in this case Israel. Some say it describes the prophets. Christians want to conclude that these words refer to Jesus. I would like to say yes and no to all three! But before I do, here are all four song-poems1:
THE DETAIL
- The first thing to note that this song is written in the first person (“me” instead of “he”). It is a personal recounting. Could this be Isaiah sharing his story? (v.4)
- So, the servant’s ears are opened, and He listens to God’s directives. He obeys, and “did not turn backwards”. (vv. 4-5)
- Because of his conviction, he endures pain, suffering, and humiliation. (v. 6)
- Yet he is unmoved. The words “I have set my face like flint…” are striking to me. Have you ever skinned a knee or cut your hand on a sharp rock? This is determination! (v. 7)
- The remaining verses show dignity and resolve in the face of danger. They seem to me to be like a boxer in a ring with his feet firmly planted. “Bring it on!” the servant seems to say. (v. 8)
- And finally, the servant proudly declares that “It is the Lord God who helps me…” With God on his side, the others don’t stand a chance.
THE TAKEAWAY
So who was this servant? The Bible doesn’t say! Let’s look at two or three possibilities.
- Early Christians were quick to see Jesus in these words. The suffering described in Songs 3 & 4 is very descriptive of what Jesus endured. But think about it for a moment. These words were written over 500 years before Jesus walked the earth. The people in exile would not have said “that’s Jesus!” Imagine going into a publisher today with a manuscript that does not make sense, and asking for it to be published. “No, it doesn’t make sense now, but it will in 500 years.” Do you think they’ll publish it? No. These songs must have made sense to the people of Isaiah’s day. These words were preserved for over five centuries before they applied to Jesus. But they sure do apply to Jesus’ suffering…
- Perhaps it applied first to God’s people, suffering for their faith in exile. They were in a foreign land which had weird religious beliefs, customs, and language. The Jews most certainly were outcasts. They were probably ridiculed, and perhaps at times even suffered physical pain for their faith. These songs could have provided them with a spiritual strength to stand up to the opposition, and remain faithful.
- Perhaps Jesus recalled these words during the final days of his time here on earth. Maybe he also drew strength from these words.
- Maybe we can also draw strength from these words, whomever they describe. We are God’s people. These words are also for us. They can describe all of us who suffer for being steadfast in our faith to our Lord in the face of adversity. Yes, I believe that these words were written for all of us.
1 Table from “Reading the Old Testament”, Bandstra, chapter 10. Thompson Wadsworth Publishing
PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11
THE BACKGROUND
It is believed that this passage is actually the words to a hymn sung in the very early church. Paul uses these beautiful words to instruct and encourage the church in Philippi.
THE DETAIL
Let’s divide this hymn into three sections.
- The opening line instructs us to have the “same mind” that Jesus had. The Greek word used here for “mind” is phronēte, which also means “thinking.2 So one could say that Paul is encouraging us to be so much like Jesus that we actually think like Him. (v. 5)
- Next comes a very interesting point. Jesus used to be in heaven with his Father, but he chose to set all that aside and take on human form. Not only did he do this, he came in the most humble form—a poor carpenter’s son born in a barn. Worse, he suffered a humiliating and agonizing death for us. (vv. 6-8)
- The song concludes with a hymn of praise. (vv. 9-11)
THE TAKEAWAY
Jesus gave up everything he had going for him, up there in heaven. Yet, he obeyed the will of his Father, and became like us. Not only that, he suffered and died a humiliating death. All this he did because of love.
We are called to “have the same mind” as Jesus. As his disciples, we are to be like Jesus. Just as Jesus was a humble servant for his Father, so should we.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Humility and servitude are not valued commodities today, any more than they were in Jesus’ time. Are we truly prepared to be like Jesus, think like Jesus, and be willing to obediently suffer like Jesus, if called to do so?
2 For the record, I do not know ancient Greek. This fact was taken from the commentary found for this Sunday, www.workingpreacher.com.
Luke 19:28-40
THE BACKGROUND
According to last week’s gospel lesson from John, Jesus had dined with Lazarus’ family in Bethany. This week’s gospel seems to straddle that event. (More on this in the detail.) But the main point here is Jesus is making preparations to enter Jerusalem, and complete what he came to earth to do.
THE DETAIL
- “After he had said this” refers to a parable that he has just told about another king, one who was hated by his people. Jesus is about to demonstrate how a godly king acts. This scene happened along the way to Jerusalem. (v. 28)
- This account does not mention the dinner party at Lazarus’ house. But it does say that when he was in that area, he sent two of his disciples on ahead to obtain a colt for his entry into Jerusalem. Presumably, while they were getting this colt, he had dinner at Lazarus’ home. They did as Jesus said, and brought the colt to him. It is interesting to me that this colt “has never been ridden”. It was an unbroken colt. (vv. 29-34)
- [Presumably] after the dinner party (maybe the next day?), they put their coats on the colt, and Jesus is set upon it. (v. 35)
- You know the story. People threw their coats along the path, singing praises to Jesus. (There is no mention of palm branches in Luke.) (vv. 36-37)
- The Pharisees did not take kindly to these praises. They ordered Jesus to silence the crowd. Jesus simply says that it is not possible. (vv. 38-40)
THE TAKEAWAY
Back in Luke 9:28-36 is the story of the transfiguration. We do not know what Elijah, Moses, and Jesus discussed on the mountain. But perhaps they were discussing Jesus’ final days. We do know that in Luke 9:51-53, Jesus is said to have “set his face toward Jerusalem”. What does that mean? Perhaps after the transfiguration experience, he was committed to the completion of his mission. He had taught and healed all the way from Galilee to Judea. He had accomplished the teaching portion of his mission. Now it was time to accomplish the final sacrificial act of salvation. It was time to enter Jerusalem and give his life for all. I’m sure that as he did this, Isaiah’s words about the suffering servant were ringing in his ears. He was going to the holy city to act out Isaiah’s prophecy, and save us all.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The second lesson tells us to be and think like Jesus. Are we ready to show our love for God by showing this love to those around us? What will that love cost us? Does the cost really matter?