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Presbyterian
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a center of faith 
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USA 19026 

Focus on Lively Virtues Worthy of Cultivation:
The Power of Community   

sermon from the pulpit of 
Christ Presbyterian Church                    
a center of faith for abundant living
The Reverend Clyde E. Griffith, pastor

Today we remember Palm Sunday -- the beginning of the week that was -- Jesus' entrance into the city of Jerusalem. Apparently this was the first time Jesus ever went to the big city as an adult. Up until now, his entire ministry, his entire life, had been spent out in the hinterlands, in Jabip, in little rural communities within walking distance of one another in the countryside known as Galilee. But, now he went to Jerusalem -- the capital city -- the only big city -- the center of commerce for the whole region -- but, more importantly, the sacred city, the home of the Temple, the Holy See of the Jewish faith, the center of all Judaism.

And here comes Jesus -- the country-boy, the itinerant preacher, a man on a mission -- and a small rag tag band of his followers, all simple county-folk, all probably approaching the big city for the first time in their lives.

No doubt there was excitement in the air -- and a lot of fear and apprehension. They all had heard stories about the city. How you had to watch yourself at every turn. They did things differently in the city. They knew not about city ways, city customs, about city life. His closest followers tried to talk Jesus out of going: We've been fairly successful getting the word out around the country-side. There is still much to be done among our kind of people. Why rock the boat? Why move into Jerusalem now? Why not stay where we are a little longer? But, Jesus was on a mission.

It was like he was obsessed -- he was drawn to the city -- he had to go. In spite of the warnings, Jesus approached the city.

The story goes that just before they got to the city gate, Jesus found a donkey colt. And, remembering a Scripture about how the Messiah would come to the people riding on a donkey colt, Jesus decided to mount the donkey and ride into the city gate. 
Well, his followers went ape. 
They knew the ancient Scripture story, and here it was being acted out before their very eyes. This man they were following who had talked so wisely, with such authority, who healed people, cast out demons, and talked about the coming Kingdom of God and a new life for every person no matter what their circumstance or background -- their leader, had now taken the mantle, and in effect declared by his actions, that he was the one the Scripture was talking about -- he was the Messiah.

We recall this event each year, because it leads up the events of the week that follows with the betrayal, the capture, the trial, the crucifixion of Jesus, and the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

If the folks then knew what was going to happen on Thursday and Friday, they surely would have surrounded Jesus and physically would have prevented him from moving and entering the gates of Jerusalem. That would not have hard to do.

If we would have there, we would have shouted "Don't go!" But, of course, he had to go.

When we celebrate this story, we usually picture ourselves there as part of the crowd cheering him on, don't we? That's where we want to be anyhow, isn't it?

The story is that as he proceeded through the gate of the city, people cheered, and sang glory to God, Hozanna, and some people took the cloaks off their own backs and placed them in the road for his donkey to walk on, and other people cut palm branches and waved them around in celebration of the arrival of their long-waited for Messiah. And that sounds good. We'd like to be there for the party, wouldn't we, singing and shouting and waving and dancing our way through the streets giving homage to "the Savior"?

But, think about it. If we had been in Jerusalem that day -- because we lived there, or because we had business there, or because we came in to shop at the outlets -- if we had been there that day, what are the chances we would have been in the crowd celebrating the arrival of Jesus? Think about it. How many people were in the crowd? If there were a hundred people, if there were two hundred people, if there were three hundred people winding their way through the narrow streets of the city from the city gate to the Temple,
that would have been a significant crowd -- enough to tie up traffic and snarl the city. Enough to get the attention of the whole city. But, certainly there were no more than that. And how many people were in Jerusalem that day? Jerusalem was the largest city in the kingdom. Maybe 40,000 people lived there, and many more visited for commerce and religious purposes.

There must have been at least 60,000 people in the city that day. And here comes Jesus and a crowd of maybe 300 people at the most -- less than one half of one per cent of the people in town. If we had been there that day, the chances are 99.5% that we would not have been cheering Jesus on. The chances are 99.5% that we would be preoccupied with our lives, that we wouldn't even have noticed, and probably completely missed his coming.

As I study this story, I think the meaning and the reason we should recall the story each year, is not so much to try to be part of the cheering crowd; but, to identify with the man on the donkey. Our faith calls us to live a Christ-like life. From certain events in the life of Jesus, we get clues about how we are to live our lives. And this is one event that proclaims a great message for each one of us.

Like I say every single Sunday, in the letter to the Hebrews we are reminded that we are surrounded by a crowd of witnesses -- witnesses to the faith -- a crowd of witnesses that includes all the saints from all the ages, and all who profess the name of Christ today -- a crowd of witnesses that give us hope, encourage us on our journey, cheer us on our way. So we "can run with determination the race that lies before us." This an essential part of our faith:
there is healing power in the community of which we are a part, the body of Christ.

Many of you know this, just ask anyone in this room who has been in the hospital.

Ask anyone who has faced major surgery, or heart diseases, or cancer, any kind of debilitating possibility.

Ask anyone who has ever experienced the loss of a spouse, or a child, or a father or mother.

Ask anyone who has faced the uncertainty of entering the city of the unknown facing an encounter with the unknown.

Knowing that you are a part of a community like this church -- a crowd of witnesses to the faith -- gives you an assurance, gives you a peace of mind, gives you a confidence.

Knowing that you are not alone enables healing and provides a perspective on the things that are going on in your body and in your life.

Our place in this Palm Sunday story is really not as a cheering bystander, and certainly not as most of the residents of Jerusalem who missed the coming altogether;
no, our place in this story is on the donkey:
We need to know, like Jesus, you do not go into the city alone.

We need to know, like Jesus, you do not go to face your trials alone.

We need to know, like Jesus, you do not go to face your death alone.

When you join this church, you join a crowd of witnesses who cheer you along,
who will lay down their cloaks for you as you move toward an uncertain future,
who will welcome you no matter where you've been, no matter what you've done, no matter what.

There is real healing power in this community, this crowd of witnesses, this Body of Christ.

Many in this room have experienced this and know this to be true.

And the beauty of it is -- the Good News for each one of us is -- that each one of us can call on it,
each one of us can experience it,
each one of us can be a part of it. 
Amen.

How to Live Healthier and Longer:
Focus on Lively Virtues Worthy of Cultivation:
Find Out About The Power of Prayer
Find Out About The Power of Attitude
Find Out About The Power of Ritual
Find Out About The Power of Forgiveness
Find Out About The Power of Community
Find Out About The Power of Transcendence
Find Out About The Power of Laughter

References:

Healing Words
by Larry Dossey

Research Study:
Prayer Helps Heart Patients