Peace March

The most recent atrocity in Syria, the use of nerve gas to afflict a large number of men, women and children, has horrified and appalled the world. Except, it would seem, President Assad who continues to afflict his own people without shame or regret. President Trump has apparently reversed his foreign policy over night, in moral indignation at what he has seen.

Such news brings into sharp relief the kingly authority of Jesus, the revelation of which is at the heart of the Palm Sunday story tomorrow. In fact, much of the Passion narrative from this moment, through the trials, to the notice at the head of the cross seems preoccupied with this theme. As Jesus enters into Jerusalem, on the back of a donkey, there is unrestrained joy because of all the miracles they have seen. The people realise the distinction between the kingly rule of Jesus and that of Roman imperialism. Whereas earthly authority seeks to subdue and dominate, the Kingdom not of this world brings mercy, blessing, freedom and hope.

For now, as 2000 years ago, the two kingdoms continue to co-exist and are frequently in conflict. The question for us is 'will we have Jesus as our king?' For he is either Lord of all or not Lord at all. This was the problem for the people of Jerusalem all those years ago: to enthrone him in their hearts meant that they would be in conflict with both Roman authority and Jewish Law, both of which demanded a full allegiance.

So as well as asking whether Jesus is king over us,we have to ask ourselves who or what else claims our allegiance. And are we prepared to pay the price of enthroning him? I am currently reading a biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas. In the mid-1930s, Bonhoeffer is wrestling with this very question as Hitler's National Socialism gradually gains the ascendancy in Germany. In an astonishing sermon in January 1934, preaching from Jeremiah, Bonhoeffer  says: The triumphal procession of truth and justice, the triumphal procession of God and his Scriptures through the world, drags in the wake of victory a train of prisoners in chains. May he at the last bind us to his triumphal carriage so that, although in bonds oppressed, we may participate in his victory.

He sees Jeremiah as God's prisoner, and identifies himself with that status. Of course, he was to die a martyr's death as a result. Maybe, in the tyrannies of this present world, more such 'prisoners of God in triumphal procession' may be called for.

...to be alive is to learn what makes for peace. It's not more weapons, more threats, more fear. It's more faith, more freedom, more hope, more love, more joy. Blessed is the one who comes in the Name of the Lord! (McLaren p186).