First United Methodist Church
April 13th, 2025
Rev. Lauren Hall
Thoughts on an Imperfect Life: We are a Group Project
The commandment to keep the sabbath is one that might not seem as important as the one about not murdering. But what, and who, suffers in our society when we don’t prioritize it? As we give witness yet again to the story of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem, proclaiming justice for the oppressed, we must also proclaim peace... and rest... for the weary of this world. God’s word, all of it, guides us in our understanding of the events that happened on this day, and God’s word, all of it, guides us in how we move through this week and beyond, how we grasp the complexity of Christ’s death and resurrection, and how we live as disciples in today’s world.
Let us pray…
One of my favorite movies is about Steve Prefontaine. I don’t know how many of you remember him – in the early 1970s he was considered the greatest prospect for American distance running. He ran every race with a sense of determination and purpose that few people could match. As a member of the 1972 Olympic team in Munich, he placed fourth in the 5000. At the time he was 21 years old. Three years later he died in a car accident.
I bring him up this morning for a couple of reasons. First, because the fan base of track and field is not like the NCAA Championships. When runners approach the starting line, you don’t usually see thousands of people in the stands cheering and anticipating the race. Most of the races are watched by just a spattering of fans, mostly teammates, who cheer for you as long as it doesn’t interfere with their own race preparation. But the Olympics are different. Athletes enter the stadium during the Opening Ceremony hailed by their country’s flag surrounded by the thousands who were lucky enough to acquire tickets and watched by millions on television. Most athletes take that walk knowing that this will be their one opportunity. The world is looking at them and everything that they have done throughout their entire lives will culminate in this one event. The anticipation, the excitement, and the tension reminds me of what the disciples might have experienced when they entered Jerusalem.
The other reason is because I have watched this movie about Pre multiple times. It’s inspiring. But it is also heartbreaking, because no matter how often I view it, Prefontaine always comes in fourth, and he always dies at the end. It’s historical truth, and the outcome is always the same.
When I read the passion scriptures, I sometimes experience a similar tension, and perhaps that’s because I’ve heard them and read them so often. The story of Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem is told in every Gospel, and although there is a wording change here and there, the entrance takes place in a similar fashion. And it ends in the same way. Judas betrays Jesus, Jesus is arrested, Jesus is crucified and dies. It has to be told the same way. It’s historical truth. And therefore, there can only be one outcome. No matter which Gospel we read, the ending is always the same.
I think when we read the familiar scriptures that surround the holidays, we are in danger of falling into a “Holy Rhythm,” or maybe it is better described as a “trance.” I use the word “trance,” because what happens when we fall into a trance? We become unaware of the things that are happening around us. We may still function and go through the daily tasks of each day, but we are zoning out, or blocking out many of the things that might draw attention away from what we need to do. Athletes actually do this on purpose – they will listen to a certain type of music or meditate in some way so that they can achieve a particular level of focus.
So, when we enter into this Holy Rhythm, we tend to hear familiar stories and rather than be challenged by them, we settle into a peaceful lull as we recognize the text and anticipate what comes next. And while this can be good to a point, it can also keep us from exploring new and different ways of understanding the meaning that the text might have in our lives.
We began the service today with an energetic procession, waving palm fronds, singing and shouting “Hosanna!” There was a lot of excitement in the liturgy and the music. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, and it’s fun. It gets our attention and reminds us that something important is about to happen.
But, let’s think about the scene for a minute. Jesus rides into the City of David on the back of the most humble creature – the donkey. Try to wrap your mind around that – God has such humility and such incredible love that he uses this creature – this defiant and stubborn creature – for his triumphant entrance into Jerusalem.
As I try to imagine the role of the donkey, I discover a chilling truth. No matter how much the world kicks him or beats him or disrespects him, the donkey enters Jerusalem with a King upon his back. The donkey is allowed to glorify Christ through his actions! I am awed by this. It makes me wonder what I might possibly do to serve and glorify God.
Now, let’s consider the irony and the prophesy for a little bit. Even though we consider the donkey a common animal, the donkey actually has a royal heritage. The donkey has carried the representatives of God’s reign throughout Israel’s history, including Solomon, Absalom and Moses. It is an everyday beast of burden, but it is also so necessary that the Law of Moses protects it from coveting and the Law requires the Donkey to have Sabbath rest.
Rather than using a beautiful warhorse that would instill fear and command authority, like most kings or emperors would, Jesus rides a donkey to show that his reign won’t be based on fear and death. He is a different sort of king. The thing that we have to be constantly aware of, especially this week, is that everything Christ does is in the context of his proclamation and enactment of God’s empire. “Interdependence” is not always the focus of this passage, but in Jesus’ retort back to the Pharisees, we can see that all of creation will cry out if justice, if love, if the beloved community is not honored and uplifted. We are to think of ourselves as a group, or as one body, being led by Jesus Christ. And Christ’s reign will be merciful, inclusive, life-giving, and marked by servanthood and peace for all.
One of the most amazing things that we learn about God in this story is that the love that God has for us doesn’t discriminate and doesn’t wait. God desires a relationship with us and will do whatever it takes to get close. And no matter how we relate to a particular text, whether we see ourselves as the person being healed or served by Jesus, or whether we see ourselves as the person being called into ministry through the example of Jesus, or as the beast of burden who carries Jesus into the Kingdom, we in some way have to identify ourselves in relationship to Jesus. And that’s the connection that is needed. It doesn’t matter where you begin. Christ will meet you where you are and invite you to become a part of God’s continuing story.
We are about to make a turn into Holy Week. We have spent the last few weeks building our Spiritual toolbox. Today we add “Sabbath.” Taking a “Sabbath,” or stepping away from home and work responsibilities and spending this time with God, allows us to open up to the transforming and restoring power of God’s love. Like the plants on our ladder garden, we need time between the feeding and watering in order to just be. It gives us time to rest, to be renewed and strengthened, so that we can rejoin the group and welcome with anticipation what’s next.
The donkey probably never even considered himself worthy of bearing the Son of God into his kingdom, and yet Christ chose him. Christ has chosen you too. The fanfare and the celebration that we reenacted this morning – it’s not just about Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem; it’s about Jesus’ entrance into our lives. Let us pray:
Prayers of the People
Gracious and loving God, we pray to you today….[words of comfort]
Lord we know that we are not perfect.
For not being aware of how our actions affect others… forgive us.
For the times when we just don’t care… forgive us.
Help us be mindful of your call to change the things we can to improve life for all. Help us move toward a world where your love reigns.
In this Holy Week, move us to greater compassion for those who grieve, for those who are suffering.
In this moment we hear your promise: “Sabbath rest was made for you. You don’t have to earn it. It is yours, forever.”
You do not ask us to be tireless, but remind us that we are a group project, a community, and that we can take the time to rest, so that we can renew ourselves for the work of renewing others. We are your children, and we know the lengths you go to love us completely. Thank you!
We bring our petitions to you this day, O God. Here are the people and things we are worried about and yet know that we cannot control.
