Scripture/Sermon of the Day

When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus gave two disciples a task. 2 He said to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter, you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that their master needs them.” He sent them off right away. 4 Now this happened to fulfill what the prophet said, 5 Say to Daughter Zion, “Look, your king is coming to you, humble and riding on a donkey, and on a colt the donkey’s offspring.” 6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus had ordered them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them. Then he sat on them.

8 Now a large crowd spread their clothes on the road. Others cut palm branches off the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds in front of him and behind him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. “Who is this?” they asked. 11 The crowds answered, “It’s the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

(The word "hosanna" is from Hebrew, meaning "save us now" or "please save”. In the Old Testament, it was a cry for help, while in the New Testament, it became a proclamation of praise, especially during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

I. Yesterday I saw an article in USA TODAY newspaper about what is being projected as the largest gathering of protesters in our nation’s history, which will be the third NO KINGS demonstration. Last year there were rallies in June and October across the country. Today they will be expected in — THREE THOUSAND, ONE HUNDRED — cities across America, along with some rallies in Canada, Mexico and other places. People are protesting President Trump’s administration, especially the war with Iran, the cruel immigration policy, and the economy. The NO KINGS website says: “This is America, and power belongs to the people, not to wannabe kings or their billionaire cronies.”

II. One of the major events of the day will take place in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, where Minneapolis residents Alex Pretti and Renee Good were fatally shot by federal immigration officers in January. Bruce Springsteen, sang his song “Streets of Minneapolis” which he wrote in response to the killings.

“No Kings” refers to organizers’ allegations that the Trump administration has misused executive powers and law enforcement and attacked voting rights, moving toward authoritarian rule.

The website states: “When our families are under attack and costs are pushing people to the brink, silence is not an option. We will defend ourselves and our communities against this administration’s unjust and cruel acts of violence.”

III. I don’t know if the organizers of these 3,000 plus protest marches across America and other countries realized that JESUS OF NAZARETH LED THE FIRST NO KINGS RALLY IN JERUSALEM 2000 YEARS AGO!

It’s our reading this morning of the first Palm Sunday. It says Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy: “Look — your king is coming to you, humble and riding on a donkey…”. But look — he’s a different kind of king.

People called Jesus, “Son of David.” They thought the he would be a warrior-King like David — the greatest king of the Old Testament who defeated all his enemies and was the only one able to unify the Northern and Southern kingdoms of Israel and Judah. They thought Jesus would build an army and drive out the Romans who occupied the country.

IV. When Jesus’ rode the donkey into Jerusalem — the seat of the nation’s political power — he was protesting human rulers who abused their power. Jesus passed judgment on the common understanding of “king” by riding a farm animal and not a war horse. He protested by his poverty and his threadbare robe and bare feet. He protested by carrying no weapons, and having no army but a group of beggars he called disciples who were as clueless as the three stooges.

V. Palm Sunday was the first No King rally, led by Jesus — our king. When the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” Pilate didn’t understand. He said:

VI. Pilate didn’t understand that the KINGDOM Jesus referred to was the human heart. Because this is the king we choose to follow. There was a protester in yesterday’s rally, in Chicago who was dressed as Jesus — he carried a sign that said: “No King but Jesus.” I suppose if we had a banner in front of our church — in celebration of this very Biblical No King Day, our banner might say: NO KING BUT JESUS. Or to say it positively, JESUS IS OUR KING.

The last thing our King, Jesus, did, at his last meal, is he washed his disciple’s feet, in a gesture of love and humility. HIS LAST COMMAND to all who would accept him as their king, and as God’s king on this earth was: