Marches, marches everywhere but not a solution in sight – it’s enough to make stones cry (Luke 19.40).
Context 
- Police helicopters have been busy over Leave and Remain demos in London revealing nervousness about trouble kicking off.
- Supporters of the opposition leader in Israel shouted ‘BB, King of Israel’ when they thought they had enough seats to form a government after this week’s election. It’s a very highly charged phrase, echoing back to King David, which reveals their expectation and hope, but also accentuates their disappointment as Netanyahu probably keeps hold of power.
- The march of General Haftar‘s Militia on Tripoli is worrying and complex. The UN backs the government, but Haftar has a track record of fighting extremism. How the UN decides who to back isn’t all together clear. What tipped the balance in favour of the opposition leader in Venezuela, for instance? That’s not to do the UN down. It’s an impossible call.
- Demonstrations in Sudan and Algeria have briefly made the news, and demonstrators there facing water cannons put themselves at greater risk than those in London where, at least, the illegal water cannons Boris Johnson ordered were disposed of by his successor.
This febrile atmosphere is deeply unsettling and, perhaps, should open us to the crackling tension and heightened danger in Jerusalem as Jesus approached. Our current crises should make us at least sympathetic to the religious authorities, admiring of the disciples’ courage and understanding of how crowds can turn. It can make us more alert to the very deliberate signals Jesus was sending then and now.
It can also make us ask what we think worth demonstrating about and what would command our loyalty enough to devote our whole self and our resources to it.
Reflection
Bethany is a place of safety and friendship. It’s where Mary, and Martha live and where Lazarus was raised (John) and where Jesus was anointed (Matthew and John). Mark says that during Holy Week, Jesus returned to Bethany in the evenings. It’s the place where Jesus will take his disciples to say goodbye (Luke 24.50). He sets out from the place of safety and friendship heads toward Jerusalem, a place of glamour, busyness, high politics and danger.
That Luke and other Gospel authors give us the odd details about arrangements for transport twice shows we are meant to notice their effort. It underlines the sense of purpose, momentum in Jesus’ heart; the sense of rightness in this stylised procession. The ‘multitude’ of disciples behave impulsively, but Jesus does not. He is very deliberate. If I were crafting an image-making publicity stunt involving a young horse, I think I would insist it had already been broken in. Luke says, specifically, this one has not. Again, we’re meant to notice. The unused, unsullied animals evoke the transport of the Ark of the Covenant, borne by oxen which have never before been harnessed (1 Samuel 6.7). The Ark of the Covenant has Cherubim at the corners which, according to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, only appear there and at the gates of Eden (The Great Partnership, Hodder Paperbacks, 2012, p.173 – and see Genesis 3.24). The wisdom of God is borne into Jerusalem, the Law is fulfilled in him, there is nothing more precious, nothing to be held with more honour and reverence. Here is the solution to all our political conflict, neighbourly disputes and struggle over resources. Knowing him, we could know Eden’s peace once again. But the busy, glamorous city where religion and empire meet will reject him.
ROOTS Adult and All Age Bible notes helpfully highlight the symbolism of the cloaks strewn on the road, emblems of identity and resource, put extravagantly at Jesus’ disposal, dramatizing their sense of obedience and devotion to him. I have to admit, my own Christian commitment seems rather shabby in the light of this procession. I’ll admit Christianity is my cloak, an identity I own and am glad of, but I have risked little for my faith. It’s also interesting to imagine placards about our most pressing political causes mingled with Jesus’ procession, seeing how dull they can look in his light, or how their resentments are highlighted by his grace, and how our aggressive campaigning is judged by his peaceable journey. His journey was for the sake of others. He surely affirms demonstrators who today put themselves at risk to campaign for others’ well-being. It’s worth noting, though, that most of our demonstrations are issue-focussed, whereas Jesus is displaying a character, a way of living and a way of holding power that subverts our competitive thinking. It is in his person, not in a list of ideas, that Eden-peace is rediscovered.
As we blame Europe or Islam or immigrants for all sorts of woes, what might the stones of Britain’s grand government buildings cry out? While Leave and Remain demonstrations and spokespeople get all the attention at the moment, and the noisy static of Brexit fills the air, we give little air time to the impact of youth service cuts on knife crime. We are not attending to the taxation needed for dementia and social care to be properly integrated with health services. We are seeing little debate about transport and in work poverty in this country. Only the briefest attention has been given to the profound environmental concerns of the young.
Peaceable, purposeful and provocative, Jesus points back to the Law already given, whose character we have failed to assimilate. He points forwards to a new kingdom where law is not needed because his grace prevails. Leaving safe company he heads towards our dysfunction, dramatically exposing the complex reality of the present, asking us what we would risk everything for, while making us see the ambiguities in any apparently black and white issue. In him grace envelops complexity, so that we might find our way back to a safe place with God once more.
American artist Judy Chicago is a woman of extraordinary vision and political imagination. As we may imagine this week Jesus leaving the dinner-party warmth of Mary and Martha’s Bethany home, you may like to see her exhibition The Dinner Party. Chicago has written a poem imagining a place where grace reigns:
Eden once again
And then all that has divided us will merge.
And then compassion will be wedded to power.
And then softness will come to a world that is harsh and unkind.
And then both men and women will be gentle.
And then no person will be subject to another’s will.
And then all will be rich and free and varied.
And then the greed of some will give way to the needs of many.
And then all will share equally in the earth’s abundance.
And then all will care for the sick and the weak and the old.
And then all will nourish the young.
And then all will cherish life’s creatures.
And then all will live in harmony with each other and the earth.
And then everywhere will be called Eden once again.
Prayer
A simple Kyrie for use in Church or individually through Holy Week:
For the health of our discipleship
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
For the health of our city [town, village,] and neighbourhood
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
For the health of the Church
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
An intercession:
We pray for any who lack a safe place for fellowship, belonging and refreshment.
We pray for those enjoying such a place too much, lacking courage to leave their safety and take a stand.
We pray for all who struggle to know whom to trust, especially when the fortunes of others depend on their choice.
Questions for individual reflection, then group discussion
Psalm 118.2-4 calls out to:
‘Israel’ (meaning ‘struggles with God’)
‘house of Aaron (the priestly, caste, a formally religious people)
and ‘those who fear YHWH’ (those in awe of God in a more pre-religious, instinctive way).
All are called. All are included.
- In your Christian identity, which are you?
Struggling Disciplined Feeling - Picturing Jesus’ demonstration, where would you be in the scene?
Jesus quoting Habakkuk 2.11 is very provocative as it imagines the walls of Jerusalem crying out against corruption within. ‘Look into your own hearts and stop blaming the Romans for everything.’
- Where can you see self-reflection might be wiser than blame?
All-age activity
Invite people to make placards about things they think Church should care about. Emphasise that they need not all agree.
Also, recognising Jesus’ character demonstrating more than policy, make some placards naming virtues that are needed for healthier community life, such as humility, generosity, forgiveness. These could be used in the Palm Sunday procession, or marched up at the offertory, or during a final hymn, leading the congregation out of church.
Young people
Where is your Bethany place of safety, fellowship and tenderness?
Give thanks for it and the people who come to mind.
If it is something you do not feel you have, who might you talk to about finding one?
David Warbrick is Vicar of All Saints Kings Heath in the Diocese of Birmingham. While likes to think he’s ‘right on,’ he’s never been on a demo, but he might possibly be stirred to action if the price of white Burgundy goes any higher.
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