Loving God, you continue to draw us to Jesus, who gave himself for the life of the world.  Help us always to grow in our faith and love for you and for others, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

            You may have found it a little strange this year that our readings over the past month have all focused on the final day of Jesus’ life.  However, I believe that there are some good reasons for doing so, especially in the gospel of John.  First off, in most of the gospels, the very first part that was written is known as the Passion Narrative – the events of that Thursday and Friday so long ago that ended with Jesus dying on the cross.  It was written first as one of the most important parts of the story of Jesus, and in the Gospel of John, all of chapters 13 to 19 are part of this narrative.

         At the same time, as you’ve probably noticed by now, the gospel of John is different.  There are details and stories included in John that don’t appear in any of the other gospels.  Part of this is that John was written later than the other gospels and reflects how the people’s understanding of Jesus had evolved over time.  It also reflects some of the misunderstandings about Jesus that were current at the time it was written.

         Just to give one example, today we heard that Jesus carried the cross by himself (Jn. 19:17).  However, in all of the other gospels, Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the cross for Jesus.  By the time that John was written, some people were saying that Simon and Jesus had actually switched places so that Jesus didn’t really die.  And so John, wanting to make it clear that it was, in fact, Jesus on the cross, has Jesus carrying it by himself.

         The focus, however, in both of the readings that we heard today, is on Jesus as king.  As Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, the crowds welcome him as the King of Israel (Jn. 12:13).  Some of them also bring to mind the prophet Zechariah, who wrote these words many years before:

Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!  Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!  Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zech. 9:9).

Triumphant, victorious, and humble – what an odd combination!  Yet, as we have heard so many times, Jesus is not your usual kind of king.

         This is further highlighted in the gospel of John as the cross is viewed as a type of coronation for Jesus.  John talks about Jesus being “lifted up” and drawing all people to himself (Jn. 12:32).  He also suggests that Jesus will be glorified through the cross.  His crown is a crown of thorns, and his purple robe isn’t even his own.  While most kings would have others serving them, Jesus comes as a king who serves others.

         In today’s reading from John 19, it is the inscription on the cross that identifies Jesus as king.  How many of you have ever seen INRI inscribed on Jesus’ cross?...  And how many of you know what INRI means?...  It stands for the Latin words Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum (Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews).  It basically gives Jesus’ name and the charges against him.

         Once again, though, John includes more details about this than the other gospels.  Only in John do the chief priests object to what is written.  Only in John is “Jesus of Nazareth” included in the inscription.  And only in John are the three languages mentioned: Hebrew / Aramaic, Latin and Greek (Jn. 19:20).

         Jesus of Nazareth identifies this Jesus as opposed to some other one – just like Joseph of Arimathea or Mary of Magdala (usually called Mary Magdalene).  The suggestion that a king might come from Galilee would be objectionable to most Jewish leaders at the time.  However, perhaps more important is the fact that it was written in three languages so that all could understand.  Jesus did not come just for the Jewish people, but for all people.  In fact, the Pharisees themselves said, “You see, you can do nothing.  Look, the world has gone after him!” (Jn. 12:19).

         The world has gone after him.  He will draw all people to himself.  How come?...  What is it about Jesus, the crucified Messiah, that draws all people to him?... Is it his power to raise the dead?  Is it his power to heal people?  Is it his self-giving love, especially for “the least of these”?  Is it his wisdom and authoritative teaching?  Is it because he is God with us?  Is it the way in which he reveals God’s love for us?

         And for you – what is it that draws you to Jesus?...  The short answer to this, for any of us, would be the Holy Spirit.  It is the Holy Spirit who calls us through the gospel and gives us the gift of faith.  Yet, the Holy Spirit doesn’t work in a vacuum.  There are other things that draw us to Jesus, too.

         As I ponder this question for myself, I would point to answers to prayer as the biggest boost to my faith.  At the times when I needed it the most, I experienced answers to prayer that happened in such a way that I knew that there was power in the name of Jesus and that the Holy Spirit was real.  These experiences opened the way for a daily walk with Jesus that ultimately looks forward to the promises of God – the promise of reconciliation with God; the promise of forgiveness and salvation; and the promise of resurrection and eternal life.

         In the meantime, we pray “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.”  For our relationship with God also has to do with others, as citizens of the kingdom of God and members of the body of Christ.  “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord” (Jn. 12:13).  For he comes to us here today and continues to live among us.  Thanks be to God! Amen.

Sunday of the Passion / Palm Sunday                            John 19:16b-22

March 25, 2018                                                                    John 12:12-19

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

© 2018 Lynne Hutchison  All Rights Reserved