The Entrance of the Lord

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, C

March 24, 2013

Procession with Palms: Luke 19:28-38

Proclamation of the Passion: Luke 23:32-43

 Introduction

Today we celebrate Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion. Today we had not one, but two Gospel readings: one at the procession with palms and the other at the proclamation of the Passion. In the former Gospel, we read of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem; in the latter, we read the reason for his triumphal entry: to die on the cross for our sins. Thus, we do not celebrate any part of Holy Week in isolation: We cannot separate the triumphal entry from the Passion; just as we can never separate the Crucifixion from the Resurrection.

I. Jesus came to enter into our lives (Luke 19:28-38)

A. In the first part of the Gospel, Jesus sends two of his disciples to "Go...into the village over against you" where they shall find "a colt tied, whereon never man yet sat"; they shall "loose him and bring him hither" (v. 30). If anyone asks them, their only response was to be, "The Lord hath need of him" (v. 31).

"In humility, Jesus shows He has not come to reestablish the earthly kingdom of David. He does not ride in a chariot but upon a donkey, an animal of peace" (The Orthodox Study Bible, p. 57).

B. In Luke, "the whole multitude of the disciples" praised Jesus by saying, " Blessed be the king that cometh in the name of the Lord: Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest"! (v. 38).

1. First, they call him "king". But Jesus did not come as a conquering king. In fact, just about he was to enter Jerusalem, he wept over it and foretold of the destruction of  the city by the Roman legions (vv. 41-44).

2. Second, they echo the song that was sung by the angels at his birth: "Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest" (v. 38): The angels sang: "Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace; goodwill toward men" (Luke2:13-14).

II. Jesus came into our lives to give us forgiveness (Luke 19:33-34)

And when they were come to the place, called the place of a scull, there they crucified him, and the two malefactors, one on the right-hand, and one on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment and cast lots. (v. 33-34)

—How striking is this passage! While they are actually nailing him to the cross, he seems to feel the injury they did to their own souls more than the wounds they gave him; and as it were to forget his own anguish out of a concern for their own salvation. And how eminently was his prayer heard! It procured forgiveness for all that were penitent, and a suspension of vengeance even for the impenitent. (Notes Upon the New Testament)

A. "Father, forgive them..." Jesus was wrongfully punished with two "malefactors" (Greek, κακουργος, kakourgos, 'evil-doers'), criminals, and yet the first thing he did was to pray for those who did evil to him.

B. "...for they know not what they do." They (both the Jewish religious leaders and the Roman authorities, and by extension, everyone) did so in ignorance. In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Peter said, "And now, brethren, I know that thro' ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers" (Acts 3:17). Meanwhile, St. Paul writes, "But we speak the hidden wisdom of God in a mystery... Which none of the rulers of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (I Corinthians 2:6, 8).

But this does not mean automatic forgiveness. Once Peter has exposed the full gravity of what the people did to Jesus, he said, "Repent ye therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out..." (Acts 3:19)

III. Jesus came to bring us to Paradise (Luke 19:39-42)

And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me, when thou comest in thy kingdom. And Jesus said to him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (vv. 41-42)

What a surprising degree was here of repentance, faith, and other graces! And what abundance of good works, in his public confession of his sin, reproof of his fellow criminal, his honourable testimony to Christ, and profession of faith in him, while he was in so disgraceful circumstances as were stumbling even to his disciples! This shows the power of Divine grace. But it encourages none to put off their repentance to the last hour; since, as far as appears, this was the first time this criminal had an opportunity of knowing anything of Christ, and his conversion was designed to put a peculiar glory on our saviour in his lowest state, while his enemies derided him, and his own disciples either denied or forsook him. (Notes Upon the New Testament).