Palm Sunday is a peculiar commemoration! We celebrate
Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem amidst waving royal palm branches and a
cheering crowd. Yet, our worship is an odd mixture of joy and sorrow, because
we know what’s to be called to mind on Good Friday. Pure Innocence,
misunderstood and betrayed, was jeered at and martyred. Because of erroneous
expectations of Jesus, maximum suffering was inflicted on Love Incarnate; the
world's alienation from God came into focus showing its horrific reality and
power. None of this would be tolerable for us to recall, were it not for the
pivotal Easter victory to be celebrated afterwards.
Jesus must have had such mixed feelings during that ride into
Jerusalem. He no doubt sensed that after this grand entrance his words and
deeds would infuriate many influential people; he surely realized that many
cheering him on would turn against him. Intent on their own wants and hopes,
they invested him with military and political leadership - which of course was
very different from his ministry of healing the heart, mind and spirit.
Unknowingly, the people were greeting the prophet who not only comprehended
their brokenness, but would also judge their lives as falling short of their
true possibilities; indeed, they were hailing the Messiah who would proclaim
their estrangement from God and announce a new age. In the end, the Creator's
Word would not be silenced; Sunday would be hallowed by the exalted Christ.
While on our own pathways you and I have had situations and
relationships collapse into apathy, even viciousness, when individuals are
vested with unrealistic expectations. Children who imagine their parents as
possessing absolute knowledge and power expect answers to all questions and
approval of every request; when Mom and Dad don't respond accurately and
generously, such offspring sulk and may become cantankerous. Likewise, how many
parents infuse their own children with imaginary interests and abilities? Some
mothers and fathers envision a particular career (or the "right" spouse) for
their sons and daughters, and they are grieved when their youngsters seem to
settle for so much less. Disappointed parents may endlessly nag their children,
because their fanciful dreams aren't gratified.
You and I even expect too much of ourselves at times! We
assume responsibilities beyond what we should; over-confident, we believe that
we can accomplish anything coming our way. When we get in over our heads, we
feel victimized and battered.
Consider what happens to some pastors in congregations where
there are chronic, grumbling critics with unreasonable personal and
professional expectations of clergy; they typically have a love/hate
relationship with ordained people. On the one hand, they sincerely welcome
their clergy with open arms; on the other, they expect pastors to serve as
their ever-available property radiating regal piety and inexhaustible energy.
When clergy do not abide by their unfair expectations, relentless
clergy-bashing begins! Similar trials befall many teachers, health care
workers, people in government and the political arena, and others in diverse
service vocations.
Please don't misunderstand me! I am not implying that we
should look the other way or approve of deliberate wrong-doing or negligence by
clergy, teachers, business leaders, or others in service occupations. I
am suggesting that many churchfolks, as well as other citizens, have
developed an unforgiving pattern of creating revered leaders and subsequently
brutalizing them - whether or not they deserve such treatment. Often this
occurs, because we expect all powerful, all-knowing, faultless leaders rather
than mere mortals of good-will.
Along with the many people welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem,
you and I might also invest him with misguided expectations. Frequently,
we fashion him so supernaturally that we look forward to magical solutions to
our problems, even though he never promised wizardry. Now and then we become
annoyed with him, when he unexpectedly challenges our loyalties and priorities,
even our religious sensibilities; we do not receive him as God's Anointed One,
our exemplary brother, prophet, and Lord, but as a genie in a bottle to do our
bidding.
You and I often fail to truly understand ourselves and
others; we misread each other; we invest ourselves and others with fictional
qualities, mistaken priorities, and deluded expectations. We insist on the
delivery of promises never made, intentions never pledged. Consequently, many
relationships and situations deteriorate and die. I’ve been ordained for
nearly 40 years, and I respect and cherish my ordained responsibilities. I
loathe the misguided expectations so many people have of clergy.
The palms we take home tonight should be placed where we will
often see them. They may remind us not only of Palm Sunday as a special day in
history, but as well of our own unreasonable expectations of God, of Jesus, and
of the church; as a result, we might purge our beliefs of sorcery and illusion.
Furthermore, our palms may inspire us to consider carefully our
perceptions of each other, thereby reducing needless disappointments and
treachery. In any case, these palms always symbolize the pain which we as
Christ's disciples could be called upon to endure - with the promise and hope
of the Sunday ahead. Remarkably, the events of the first Palm Sunday through
Easter Day have altered forever the way we Christians experience evil and
suffering!
Let us bow our heads in prayer. Almighty God, our source of
wisdom and courage, grant that we may welcome your Word as He truly is. Clarify
our vision of ourselves and each other, that true affection and prudent
ministry may flourish among us. Inspire us to let go of indifference and
maliciousness when promises never made do not come to pass. And, guide us, so
that our journeys are in accord with your expectations of us. We pray in the
Name of Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord. Amen.