Luke 23:8-25 | Gospels during Lent: No reading today. Worship with the Church.
Today, Palm Sunday, begins Holy Week. Some also call this Passion Sunday.1
It would be hard to overstate the events this week represents in the course of Jesus’ ministry. It’s rightly said that to best know the nature and character of God, the Church looks to Jesus Christ. There’s no central way to know of Jesus’ reflection of God the Father than his willingness to let humanity do its worst. It’s terribly beautiful.
In this way, Palm Sunday - really, the triumphal entry - sets firstly and firmly the Jesus’ example in contrast with Israel & the Roman Empire. One seeks religious legitimacy and the other human dominance. Both will seem to have their way, a necessary part of the course of the whole Jesus story. Sometimes it might seem as if Jesus is even setting everyone up. But in the end, it’s more so just the way the world is, and Jesus is living in the midst of it, offering an alternative. It’s quite the plot twist and the contrast is there for our benefit.
We’ll continue in the narrative of Luke in our reading for today, picking up where we left of with Jesus sent from Pilate to Herod. If you want to read the Lukan triumphal entry passage, check out the Jesus Daily from March 6.
Luke 23:8-25
Herod was very glad to see Jesus, for he had heard about Jesus and had wanted to see him for quite some time. He was hoping to see Jesus perform some sign. Herod questioned Jesus at length, but Jesus didn’t respond to him. The chief priests and the legal experts were there, fiercely accusing Jesus. Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt. Herod mocked him by dressing Jesus in elegant clothes and sent him back to Pilate. Pilate and Herod became friends with each other that day. Before this, they had been enemies.
Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people. He said to them, “You brought this man before me as one who was misleading the people. I have questioned him in your presence and found nothing in this man’s conduct that provides a legal basis for the charges you have brought against him. Neither did Herod, because Herod returned him to us. He’s done nothing that deserves death. Therefore, I’ll have him whipped, then let him go.”
But with one voice they shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us.” (Barabbas had been thrown into prison because of a riot that had occurred in the city, and for murder.)
Pilate addressed them again because he wanted to release Jesus.
They kept shouting out, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
For the third time, Pilate said to them, “Why? What wrong has he done? I’ve found no legal basis for the death penalty in his case. Therefore, I will have him whipped, then let him go.”
But they were adamant, shouting their demand that Jesus be crucified. Their voices won out. Pilate issued his decision to grant their request. He released the one they asked for, who had been thrown into prison because of a riot and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.
Prayer
God,
As we begin Holy Week, renew our minds and spirits. Let the story of Jesus's entrance into the City of Peace inspire us to welcome Him into our hearts anew. Help us to wave our palm branches for all the right reasons, setting our commitment to follow Him more closely, to live lives of service and compassion, just as He taught us.
And keep us humble, as if we ourselves are riding an ass,
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.
Honestly, Passion Sunday seems to be for those Christian ministers who know that much of their congregation will not show up for Maundy Thursday/Good Friday and need to hear the passion story of Christ’s suffering and death. But if you’re reading along with us, you are reading the whole narrative. Settle in today for the Palm Sunday story. :-)
Have A Blessed Holy Week Jeremy!
Amen