Palm Sunday Drama by Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, UCC
Mark 11:1-11
April 5, 2009
“A Voice From the Crowd”
Whoa. What just happened? I need to process this, I need a minute to collect myself. I feel like my heart is beating outside of my chest. Did you see him? Some say he is going to be king, but have you ever seen a king like that? I sure haven't.
Let me back up. I'm Lena. You should know that the last year has been extremely difficult for me. My husband and three young children all died from the fever that swept through Judea last fall. At times I've wished it had taken me too. It’s been so hard for me to just to keep going. I got a job as a cook in a house just down the road right here in Jerusalem. That's been going okay. Today I came to the market to pick up the vegetables for the stew I'm making for dinner.
I knew even before I left the house today that something big was going to happen – I just felt it inside. All morning long, while kneading the dough and drawing the water – I felt like I was preparing for a banquet. As I walked to the market, my feet couldn't take me quickly enough – I felt such a sense of urgency, without knowing why. After selecting and buying the turnips and onions and everything I needed, and situating my basket on my hip, I stood there motionless as the normal market bustle transformed first into a pulsing murmur of wonderment, and then a cacophony of sound and movement in one direction: toward the temple. I saw some who looked scowling and angry – maybe fearful – and others who seemed almost giddy with joy. I felt an arm decisively slip through mine -- it was my good friend Mara suddenly at my side, coaxing me to move with the flow of the forming crowd. My basket I thrust into the arms of a beggar when the crowd became to thick to manage it.
“It's him – it's Jesus, I'm sure of it.” Mara said in a hushed voice. I felt my palms sweat, my heart pound. I had to see him. I had heard about Jesus, of course – who hadn't? Some speak badly of him – the dangerous, unconventional rabbi, the radical, the one who refuses to play by the rules. But then there are others who are glad that he is causing commotion, they say that he is creating such a stir that he will begin a much-needed revolution. But I'm not so sure. Because I also know that he's been healing – I mean, really healing – even bringing a man back to life right in Bethany. I know Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus who was brought back – and they would not lie. And if that's true – what does that mean? What does that mean about Jesus? What does that mean for all of us? Could it be that Jesus is more than a radical? Could he be the . . . Messiah…could he?
We pressed on toward the temple, clinging to one another to stay together.. The crowd began to cheer. “HOSANNA! Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna! Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna !
Then, a voice cried, “There he is!” We stood on our toes, desperate to catch a glimpse. But we didn't need to, because he was coming right toward us! He was sitting . . . on a donkey! He rode right by us, he turned and looked right into my eyes – right into my soul. And in that moment I was known. In that moment, I was loved. I felt like he saw me and knew me through and through…and loved me through and through. I felt like he knew about the fever that stole my dear husband and children. I don't know how he knew, but he knew. He knows that I lay awake at night praying and grasping for hope. He sees that though I am surrounded by people I feel so alone. He looked right into me, and I am no longer unknown.
This king, this man, is not what I expected – not what any of us expected. With no pretensions at all! I can't help but think that his odd choice of using a donkey for his travel was him trying to tell us all something about himself. We called him “Son of David.” But David was a rich & powerful king. A warrior king. Jesus . . . Jesus is something different. I've heard that he teaches that the last will be first and the first will be last; to love our enemies and bless those who persecute us. If he is a king, then he is a king of peace. A king of of love!
It seems that Jesus is a king who sees beyond the surface of things – sees beyond power and possessions. And perhaps he is a king who desires a people who see beyond the surface of things – that somehow we are looking at life upside down – that we just aren't seeing clearly but he can show us the way.
For the first time in so long I feel like myself again. I feel hope. I’m going to make it. I feel like I'm no longer walking through my days like a ghost. I had felt myself die along with my family, but now I feel as if I've risen from the fog of despair. (pick up branch) I feel like this branch – beautifully green and growing even in the driest heat. Nourished and loved – opened to the light. Suddenly everyone around me looks more precious, more deserving of compassion, so needing love, a kind word, an offer of help. I want to love like Jesus loves. I want to learn from him. I want to follow this man, so that no matter where I am or what I am doing – it will be as if my arms are outstretched laying down branches. Stretching my branch of hope, spreading my cloak of faith, I open myself to the light. I don't know exactly who this man is, or what all of this means, but I take all my suffering – all my loneliness and all my pain, and I lay it all down before him. And I know my life will never be the same again.
But I wonder about Jesus… I wonder where he’s going…I wonder what’s going to happen to him. These are strange times here in Judea. Our people have never treated prophets very well. And these Romans …these Romans who’ve occupied our land, they’ve never treated revolutionaries very well.
Oh, I want to see Jesus again. Maybe I can find him. I hope he's okay. (Walk off-stage).