Lent
March 17, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 19:28-40

After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.  

When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.”’ So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’ –Luke 19:28-34

Luke’s story of what has come to be known as Jesus’ Triumphal Entry illustrates a lot of intentionality. Preplanning seems to have taken place. Perhaps the owner of the donkey willingly shared his or her animal but for his or her own safety remained anonymous. There was even a signal message set up so the donkey could be released to the right people. Luke was also well acquainted with the Hebrew scriptures describing the coming of a king riding on a donkey (Zech. 9:9)

Across town history tells us, the Romans used grand entries to enforce their authority. Rulers, Pilate perhaps, would ride into town after battles or otherwise in ceremonial fashion on grand horses leading a mass of soldiers. The Peace of Roman came through power and fear and aggression. Quite a contrast, wouldn’t you say, to a lowly Jewish Rabbi riding in on a working animal. Was Jesus mocking the Romans?

Jesus professed that communal peace, world peace, can truly only come via love and justice. Personal peace, too, is ours through a radical relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Yet the fall back on violence is just so tempting. It seems to satisfy some kind of primal urge to establish one’s self worth. Created in the image of God, all people are children of God and have worth beyond measure. Think what a wonderful world it would be if everyone could accept that simple fact. It would be truly the Kingdom of God.

Prayer: Lord, let your ways be known to us so that we may live with the intentionality of love you modeled for us. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.