A synopsis of the sermon delivered by the Rev. David L. Hicks at St. Paul’s Reformed Episcopal Church on Sunday, April 13, 2003, Palm Sunday. Please read St. Luke 19:28-40. The Palm Sunday story is full of people playing different parts in the great drama leading up to our Lord’s death on the cross. Perhaps we can see a parallel between some of the people who were there for the first Palm Sunday and those who celebrate today.

1. The two disciples.
Before the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, some background activity needed to take place. Jesus chose two disciples to go quietly into a village and find colt tied there; and they were to bring the colt back for Jesus to ride on when he entered the city. This job received little attention, but it was an important one. I doubt that very many people knew about Jesus’ command to the two disciples or how they faithfully followed his instructions, but the story would be different had they not been obedient.

Many serve Christ faithfully today who receive little attention. They follow the Lord’s commands in living the Christian life, in helping with the work of the church, and what they do goes unnoticed by the crowds. Yet, such modern day faithful disciples are indispensable for the work of the kingdom of God.

2. The Crowd of Disciples.
St. Luke tells us that when Jesus came near Jerusalem “the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen.” However, where were the crowds on Good Friday? Something happened in a few short days that changed the way that these people greeted Jesus. These were disciples, followers of Jesus, who abandoned him when he was arrested. Perhaps they were confused about the nature of Jesus’ kingship. They were greeting him as a triumphant king entering the capital city of Israel. Many in Jesus’ day expected the promised Messiah to be a political leader who would set up an earthly reign and drive out the occupying Roman soldiers. Maybe they had a hard time reconciling Jesus with their expectations.

Is that not like some of Jesus’ disciples today? Christians often have certain expectations regarding what it means to serve God. When difficulties, trials and temptations arise, so do the doubts, fears and confusion. Questions such as, “How could God let this happen?” and “What did I do wrong?” plague the conscience of such an individual. This becomes an occasion for the Christian to adjust his or her expectation about Jesus’ kingship and our service to Him.

3. The Pharisees.
The Pharisees were the constant opponents of Jesus. Because this, we may be tempted to see them as being anti-religious people and overtly hostile to the things of God. However, the Pharisees were not immoral or anti-religious, at least from the human perspective. The average person saw them as examples of what it means to live a life in obedience to the law of God. They were the “good guys” who were zealous for following the Scriptures down to the very last letter. Their difficulty with Jesus was that he did not fit their system of religion. They had no room for a Messiah who did not endorse their view of God and the Law. Therefore, they were upset with the attention that Jesus received and asked him to rebuke his disciples for greeting him in such a manner.

Sadly, in our own time, people can be very religious but have little time for Jesus. It is possible to be busy about the things of God and his church, yet have no room for the Lord in one’s heart.

May God give us grace to greet Jesus Christ as the Lord of our life – whether he gives us a task to do that goes unnoticed, or whether his kingship challenges our religious views or expectations. May each of us say from the bottom of our hearts, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” 
Amen.