Pittsburgh has one of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in the nation, maybe even the world. But not this year. The coronavirus resulted in the cancellation of the St. Patrick's Day parade in Pittsburgh. And in Boston, which has a large Irish population. And, as it turns out, in Dublin, in Ireland. No St. Patrick's Day parade, celebrating St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland, happened this year in Ireland.
There can be many reasons for a parade, and those who like parades don't all have the same favorite parts. Some like the marching bands. Some like the fire trucks. Some like the Shriners in their fez hats and little cars. Some like the politicians; some like whoever throws them candy. Some like the specific reason that there is a parade that day, whatever heritage or holiday or sports team victory is being celebrated--for these people it's less about the parts of the parade than what it commemorates.
A couple of thousand years ago, around this time, there was a parade in Jerusalem. Actually it's likely that there were simultaneous parades, on opposite ends of the city. It is interesting to contrast the parade of the Roman military and political power on the opposite end of the city from the one we celebrate on Palm Sunday of Jesus entering, "humble, and mounted on a donkey" (Matthew 21:5). I have done that some years. But this year I'm rather looking at the different meanings of the parade around Jesus and his so-called "triumphal" entry.
Some wanted a conquering king who would drive out the Romans, who had been in charge for generations, and restore Israel's power and place among the nations of the world, rather than them being in essence a "colony" of Rome. Some wanted a Messiah who would restore the power of their faith to a land that they thought was faithless--they could still worship in the Temple (and still had to pay the Temple tax) but it seemed hollow with Rome in charge. Some were attracted by his healings; others by his teachings; others by his "realigning" of who was "in" and who was "out". All were looking for something that for their individual circumstances would mean a triumph.
This particular parade, welcoming Jesus into the city during this particular week, where thousands of extra people were in Jerusalem for the celebration of Passover, turned out to be a brief celebration. As the week went on, Jesus disappointed them, as nearly every reason people at the parade were excited about him turned out NOT to be what he was about. It turned out badly for him, as the week went on, and their hoped-for triumphs in the own lives didn't happen as they'd hoped. Sometimes the reasons we celebrate aren't the real story of what a parade is really about. If we're fortunate, we may discover later that a better celebration will be happening.
Matthew 21:1-11
1 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, “The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.’ 4 This took place to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,
5 ‘Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
‘Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!’
10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ 11The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’
Matthew 27:1-2, 11-17, 20-23
1 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. 2 They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor.
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus said, ‘You say so.’ 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, ‘Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?’ 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
15 Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. 17 So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’
20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. 21 The governor again said to them, ‘Which of the two do you want me to release for you?’ And they said, ‘Barabbas.’ 22 Pilate said to them, ‘Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ All of them said, ‘Let him be crucified!’ 23 Then he asked, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Let him be crucified!’