Sunday 13th April 2025 – The people who sang Jesus’ praises two thousand years ago as He entered Jerusalem, wanted Him to speak up for them – perhaps even to be the leader in a real fight, to lead a revolution. But Jesus did not come to be on the side of any one group. Men and women might want to feel that He supports their particular causes, but He came to be on everyone’s side, even to be friends with those who might be thought of as enemies!
Jesus refused to fight against the Romans. “Render unto Caesar, the things that are Caesar’s,” he said. Well, Judas would have none of that. If Jesus wanted to be on Judas’ side, then he would have to fight the Romans. Judas wanted to fight against the Romans, and apparently Jesus had no intention of leading a revolution, so what use was he? Jesus said that he was depending only on God, but does not God helps those who help themselves? Instead of leading them toward the new and glorious kingdom of Israel, Jesus led His followers into a dark garden to pray. He was in real torment, but they were not interested, they could hardly keep their eyes open.
Jesus could have been a great religious leader in His time, He had shown great promise ever since he was twelve. Remember the day He impressed them in the Temple. But then he started talking about the destruction of the Temple. He seemed to be departing from the Traditions, and some of the things He said sounded like blasphemy. Everyone knows it takes a good follower to be a good leader. Jesus was leading in the wrong direction for the people who mattered.
Even his own disciples were confused. Peter, James and John clearly wanted a successful outcome. They wanted to restore the throne of David, the great King. But Jesus just seemed intent on endangering himself and them, and if He had a plan, He seemed to keep much of it to himself. If he was just going to recklessly throw everything away, then he would have to do it alone.
And what about his miracles! What was His healing ministry for? What was the wonderful feeding of thousands if he was not going to make anything of it? What was needed was a man of action – a man like Barabbas. Jesus would not lead in the way that was expected – and people felt let down. He even rebuked the one who tried to fight for him. He would not even take the lead in his own defence. Pilate was ready, even eager, to help him against the Jewish establishment. Jesus would not choose the sides others wanted Him to. And so He ended up alone. He was clothed with the purple robe of mockery and crowned with the thorns of shame, so that by suffering the rejection of all, humanity might at last be united by the acceptance of His forgiveness. This is the action of Divine love, and it is clearly bound up with sacrifice. But who really accepts that sort of thing? Who really makes the sacrifice – the offering of forgiveness? Jesus came, not to join our causes, but to teach us and help us to take up our cross and join His. His cause – His way of life – reveals and rejoices in the Father’s love expressed through forgiveness. So we are called to live in him that he might live in us.
