Rector's Sermon
17 April 2011

First Reading	Psalm	Epistle	Gospel
Isaiah 50:4–9a		Philippians 2:5–11	Matthew 26:14–27:66

       Many, if not most, of what history would consider momentous events, are not thoroughly planned, with the alternatives all laid out and carefully considered, and the lasting implications meticulously thought out. Instead there is often a whirlwind that seems to come up by surprise, with a power that overwhelms reason with its velocity and obscures clear vision with the dust of fear and dangerous debris of anger.

       The story of the Passion is the major part of all the Gospels and has served as inspiration for timeless works of art ever since. Many of us have heard the story many times, and from our perspective the script looks as if practically all the details have been written and rehearsed in advance. Not so! Not so! The disciples were profoundly confused and apprehensive. The crowd, numbering thousands, who had made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover, was a restless and unpredictably volatile mix and hardly clear on what would satisfy them.  The layers of authorities, each protective of their own prestige and power, were mutually suspicious of everyone around them. Like someone walking into a tornado, Jesus entered Jerusalem.

       Some would recognize and greet Jesus as a prophet, a rabbi who had gained a reputation as a healer and perceptive teacher up north in Nazareth and the villages surrounding Galilee. When the Gospel writers mention the great crowds around Jesus they are writing from the perspective of testifying to the resurrection and witnessing to the members of the growing young church decades later. The actual people at the time who were present in Jerusalem for the festival and who knew anything significant about Jesus were likely numbered in the dozens, and certainly not thousands. There would be a few who were nervous about what Jesus might say and be suspicious that Jesus might want to work the crowd and cause trouble. The great majority of the people, however, paid no attention, even if they were among those who passed Jesus straddling a donkey with its foal along side and a few disciples enthusiastically singing Jesus’ praises.

       I remember few specific assignments from my undergraduate days, but I do recall a certain anthropology professor who, towards the end of his course, said, “I want you to write a paper on the nature of human nature.” I have no idea what I said, but I believe that human nature has not changed all that much from a century or a millennium ago. Unless we have strong psychopathic tendencies, we realize that we often mess up, but we nevertheless want to be valued. We yearn for certainty, security and control. We recognize the need to be released from pride, anger and fear. We need hope and meaning to grow, and we need forgiveness from a power greater than ourselves. Yes, we need to be saved.

       The Passion calls us in various ways to acclaim our savior, to join and find ourselves engaged in the great drama Jesus leads. Jesus doesn’t wait until all our lives are in order or hold back until the weather clears, the political climate is favorable, and the economy shows definite signs of improving. The taunts of the world will not drown out his invitation. Jesus will not be distracted by the stones hurled to wound him or the dust thrown in his face to confuse him. 

       The Passion speaks of exhausted and scared disciples, cowardly officials, and sadistic bystanders. It reeks of betrayal, disappointment, suffering and abandonment. Through it all, we are told of one who knows all those secrets about ourselves we are so afraid will get out, but does not disown us. Yes, in spite of our denial, avoidance and sophisticated rationalization, Jesus still bridges the boundaries and enters through our walls and rides for us today. 

       And I offer this to you in the name of the Living God, Amen.