April to June 2011

Who is this?

Text:  Matthew 21:1-11                                                                             17 April 2011

            Excitement is building as 29 April approaches.  The marriage of Prince William to Kate Middleton promises to be a spectacular event.  Images of the wedding will be viewed across the world.  There is something about the warm personalities of this photogenic couple that is capturing public attention and lifting the mood in hard pressed economic times. 

            Our congregation is putting on an indoor street party.  As we’ve been preparing for this I’ve been told of the celebrations of 1977 and 1981.  People put out the bunting and laid the tables in their streets for the Queen’s silver jubilee and the marriage of Lady Diana to Prince Charles.  Shops closed and everyone revelled in the public holiday.

            Things have changed.  For one thing, the marriage of William and Kate is between a prince and a ‘commoner’.  One of the reasons such a marriage is now possible stems from the tragic breakdown of the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.  Attitudes towards the monarchy were at a very low point in 1997 following the death of Princess Diana when the Queen was pressured into lowering the flag to half mast at Buckingham Palace.  Whilst the Queen has recovered from this dark period in her reign, there is much speculation about the future of the monarchy following her death. 

Yesterday, the deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, announced that the government is consulting with Common Wealth Nations over proposed changes to succession.  If successful, this will enable the eldest child – regardless of sex – to ascend the throne.  Clegg said it was a bit ‘old fashioned’ that boys should take precedence over girls.

            Many will greet the royal wedding with cheers.  Yet others will go further than Nick Clegg and say that the whole idea of monarchy is outdated.  Republicans will make sure their voice is heard.  For them the question is how is the blood of a Queen or a King any different from the blood of a commoner?  Who do they think are?

            “Who is this?” is the question on everyones lips.  Who is this man riding into Jerusalem like a king?  Who is this man who excites such interest?  Who is this man who draws the crowds and has them eating out of the palm of his hand?  “Who is this?”

            It is no accident that immediately before Jesus makes his descent into Jerusalem he stops just outside of Jericho.  Two blind men call out to him.  The more the crowd try to hush them up the louder their cries for mercy become.  They call him ‘Lord’.  At one level this is nothing more than a title for a Rabbi, addressing Jesus as ‘Sir’.  At another level it hints at Jesus’ divine identity.  They address him as the ‘Son of David’ recognising that he is the Messiah – the anointed one.  The blind men may not be able to see the physical frame of Jesus but they see who he is.  They long to have their eyes opened and Jesus touches their eyes and gives them their sight.  Restored vision answers their profound perception of the Lord, the Son of David.

            “Who is this?”  As Jesus rides into the city will the sighted see and understand what those blind men could not see yet knew? 

            “Who is this?” they wonder as Jesus, who always walks everywhere decides to ride the last couple of miles. 

“Who is this?” who sends two disciples into Bethphage, a small village on the eastern outskirts of Jerusalem. 

“Who is this?” who knows a donkey with her colt are tethered and waiting.  Did he have some kind of prescience?  Was he exercising the right of Rabbis and royalty to commandeer an animal?  Or was this by previous arrangement?

            “Who is this?” who tells the disciples to answer any queries by saying, “The Lord needs them.”  Again, ‘Lord’ may be little more than a reference to Jesus as Rabbi.  Or perhaps the owner of the animals – their ‘Lord’ - was one of Jesus’ followers.  Then again, ‘Lord’ could refer to God.  The disciples could be understood as saying, “We need the animals for the work of God.”[1]

            “Who is this?”  For Matthew there is no doubt that Jesus mounts the donkey and stages his entry into Jerusalem to bring to completion the words of the prophet which opens with the words of Isaiah 62:11 and completes with Zechariah 9:9.  There are those who wonder why Matthew includes the two animals, especially when the quote from Zechariah only requires one animal.  This is compounded by the fact that the other Gospels include only mention a colt or young donkey.  It is quite reasonable that having the mother would keep a young animal calm for Jesus to ride.  It is important not to get bogged down in these details.  What is crucial for Matthew is that Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is a fulfilment of prophecy.  Jesus rides as king because of what the prophets said.

            “Who is this?”  Jesus rides on a donkey as a king.  He is not a warring king but a king who comes in peace.  This is not a king who rules by the sword but a king who comes with a gentle and humble rule.   If the crowds saw Jesus as Messiah they may have wondered at the manner of his entrance.  The popular view of the Messiah was the one who saves by military might.  So who is this Messiah – this king who comes in peace?

            “Who is this?” that receives red carpet treatment fit for a king?  The disciples use their garments to create a makeshift saddle for the donkey and her colt.  Jesus rides the colt and the mother is a steadying presence.  The considerable crowd carpet the road with their outer garments.  Some cut down branches from the trees and throw them across the road.

            “Who is this?” who is led and followed by cheering crowds crying, “Hosanna to the Son of David”?  “Who is this?” of whom they “Hosanna!” – “Save now!”  “Who is this?” of whom they say, “Son of David!”  The crowds see the Messiah, the descendant of David, who will save them from their enemies.  Jesus rides in gentle humility and yet the crowds see a mighty warrior.  “Who is this?” they welcome, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”  The well worn words of Psalm 118:26 that greet pilgrims coming to Jerusalem for the festivals say far more.  This one who comes is the one they have been waiting for – the Messiah. 

Jesus enters Jerusalem and the whole city is in turmoil.  They ask “Who is this?”  This is not the first time that Jesus’ arrival onto the scene has caused a stir.  When Herod hears of the one born king of the Jews, he and all Jerusalem are frightened.  Herod’s inquiry about the ‘Messiah’ to be born leads the chief priests and scribes to turn to the words of Micah 5:2.  Matthew tells the story of an infant king – a humble king – a king who is Messiah.  This king who rides into Jerusalem caused a stir both at his birth and nearing the end of his life. 

“Who is this?” The crowds identify him as a prophet named Jesus who hails from Nazareth in Galilee.  Denis McBride, Remptorist priest, points out the upset Jesus causes.  This Jesus is a northerner coming south, a country boy arriving in the city, a prophet coming to confront the authorities by overturning tables in the temple.[2]

The question “Who is this?” is the question that all would be disciples of Jesus must answer.  In answering “Who is this?” we will have to answer, “Who am I?”  Am I joining with the crowds in singing praises...welcoming the Messiah...welcoming the Lord.  Am I long for the one who has been sent to “Save now!” 

“Who am I” that welcomes him?    Am I welcoming Jesus into my life to make everything better – to be my quick-fix Saviour who sorts out my problems and makes me feel good?  Am I welcoming Jesus to come and give me an easy life?

Am I willing to welcome Jesus who is gentle – who is humble?  Am I ready to welcome Jesus who meets his enemies with peace rather than force?  Will I welcome the one who saves through suffering?  Will I welcome the one who enters into my life and turns over my tables laden with treasure?  Am I prepared to accept the northerner who comes south...the country boy who comes to the city...the prophet who acts and speaks in unsettling ways to my established authorities?

“Who is this?”  “Who am I?”  He is the one who opens our eyes to see things as they are.  He comes as the baby king who frightens...as the grown king who causes turmoil...as the king who is gentle and humble.  “Who is this?”  He is one who invites, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).