milk & honey mamas

Reversal

Written by Kristen

Theological Background

Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
 Jesus entered Jerusalem

Mark 11: 9-11 NIV

Mark 11:1-11. It was standard practice for Roman governors to be in Jerusalem for major Jewish festivals (Borg and Crossan). During the week of Passover, there would have been an imperial procession marking Roman imperialism and authority, with the intent of military presence in case there was trouble (Passover does, after all, celebrate liberation from a previous empire). It would have been a grand affair, clearly demonstrating the power of the Roman empire.

A Roman army, led by Governor Pontius Pilate, enters the city from the west. A full calvary, foot soldiers, and the pomp of Roman leadership marked by status and symbol.

A band of peasants, Robin-Hood style, enter from the East. Their leader rides on a borrowed donkey. There is no imperial procession or authoritative designation.

Jesus and Pilate demonstrate two ideas of Kingdom. One kingdom is built on power, patriarchy, domination, and violence. It holds power and authority. The other is built on communion, participation, inner transformation, peace, and love.

This week, Jesus’ kingdom does not win. The Roman cross, at least for the moment, wins. But today, Palm Sunday, as Judeans welcome Passover and remember their ancestors singing freedom, they meet their leader’s eyes. They cry hosanna, save us. They wave palm branches, symbols of victory, and they wave them for Jesus. For a Kingdom of peace.  

Story

Contributed by Kristen

Remember when Jesus taught his friends about the kingdom of God? Remember how he sort of winked when he said it, like he was telling them something funny. Kingdom, they said, are we talking about the same thing?

“The kingdom of God is like this,” Jesus said, “a woman in the kitchen, baking bread. A man who finds a treasure and rejoices forever. A girl who finds a pearl inside an ordinary shell. The kingdom of heaven is peace, is love, is gentleness. It is a place of belonging.” 

On Sunday, Jesus and his friends were preparing to celebrate Passover. They were remembering how long ago, God freed their ancestors from Egypt. They knew that today was the day the Roman army would come into the city. The army would show off their power, and their authority, and their control of the city. “Don’t try anything funny,” their big horses and sharp swords would say.

But Jesus was not afraid of the Roman army. “This is not God’s dream for us,” he said. On Sunday morning, he was ready.

The Roman army came from the west, loud and strong and fierce. Jesus came from the east, quiet and small and kind. He rode a donkey he had borrowed from a friend. He looked into the eyes of the people gathered around him, and then he looked up to heaven and smiled. “Okay God,” he said, “let’s go.”

The people were waiting for him, this gentle man with the hands that healed and the smile that understood. As he came down the streets of Jerusalem, the sun lit up his face. The flowers seemed to stand a little taller. The trees stretched their branches a little longer.

A little girl in the crowd was the first to speak. “Hosanna,” she cried out, her voice full of hope and longing. She lifted a palm branch, a symbol of peace and victory, to the sky. And then, palm branches were everywhere.

“Hosanna!” the people cried, the words tumbling from their tired bodies, “God save us! Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna!” We want Jesus’ kingdom, they were saying, the one with bread for all. The one with love to spare. The one where everyone belongs. “Hosanna!” Jesus said back. “Hurrah for Israel.”

Activity

Contributed by Kristen

Have a procession in your home! Make palm leaves (here’s a simple guide), shout hosanna, listen to music, and parade around the house.

Poem

Compiled by Caroline

The Donkey

BY G. K. CHESTERTON

When fishes flew and forests walked

   And figs grew upon thorn,

Some moment when the moon was blood

   Then surely I was born.

With monstrous head and sickening cry

   And ears like errant wings,

The devil’s walking parody

   On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,

   Of ancient crooked will;

Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,

   I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;

   One far fierce hour and sweet:

There was a shout about my ears,

   And palms before my feet.

Song

Compiled by Caroline

Art

Compiled by Caroline