Boots on the Ground
by the Rev. AJ Ochart
Sermon Notes
This week, we move backwards in the fourth gospel, to the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. In doing so, we are reminded that all that we have read over in the last several weeks, Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, his arrest, ‘trial’ before the religious leaders, interrogation by Pilate, condemnation, and crucifixion, took place over a matter of hours. Having seen where this week ends, we go back to see how it began.
Jesus was nearly stoned to death by the religious authorities the last time he was in Jerusalem. He fled across the Jordan river for safety, until he was called out of hiding by a plea to help a dear friend Lazarus. He arrives at Bethany, right outside of Jerusalem, and finds that Lazarus is now four-days dead. Jesus raises Lazarus from the grave.
The religious authorities, who were already deeply distrustful of Jesus, now see him as an existential threat. The High Priest Caiaphas (one of the longest serving High Priests in Jerusalem’s history), makes the ominous pronouncement that “it is better for one man to die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.” They later plan to also kill Lazarus.
The Passover feast is quickly approaching, when the population of Jerusalem would swell to three times normal. Pontius Pilate, who we heard about over the last two weeks, would have likely entered the city with a large show of Roman force and might.
The mob of the Jesus-curious have been telling of his miraculous signs, and openly questioning if he might be the Messiah, a long sought for leader. They are filled with the hopes and dreams of a new king, a Son of David, and cry out for salvation…
Questions to Ponder
– What are the hopes and expectations of the crowd?
– What are the concerns of the religious authorities?
– What is the significance in the way that Jesus enters into Jerusalem?
