How different this Palm Sunday is

How different this Palm Sunday is from every other Palm Sunday we might have been part of. And how different it is from the event itself. No social distancing that day. A small crowd from the country gathered waving branches (no palms in Matthew) on the Monday (Matthew is just playing with us now) before Passover. They are welcoming their “king” who rode a donkey into the city where he is met with confusion and scorn.

As Jesus rode, he was living out the fullness of the meaning of Zechariah’s prophecy, and re-enacting what other great kings like Solomon had done. This is not the war-horse which Herod Antipas and Pilate would have ridden as they entered Jerusalem, coming to oversee this troublesome festival, surrounded by cavalry and infantry, with crowds brought out to proclaim their entry. The donkey is both a pack animal and a royal animal ridden in times of peace. This is a peace parade, timed for Passover, the ancient festival celebrating God’s act of bringing Israel out of slavery from a foreign empire. The crowd respond by singing the Passover psalms which proclaim God’s liberation of these enslaved people.

This king, Jesus, has come to redefine royal power – found not in violent grandeur but on a cross, bringing God’s healing and compassion to all. This week we join in this walk from this peace parade to Golgotha. And we join in our homes, apart from those we would normally walk with.

This week take time to learn to what makes for peace, in your life, in this lockdown. Take time to be still, to experience something of God’s compassion and healing. Take time to know hope love, and joy.