Embracing Liberation: A Revolutionary Palm Sunday Reflection
Summary
On this Palm Sunday, we gather to reflect on the profound symbolism and revolutionary spirit of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This day, often celebrated with palm branches and joyous songs, is a powerful reminder of the resistance against the oppressive forces of empire. At Zao MKE Church, we embrace this day as Protest Sunday, a time to break up with the systems that drain us and to reclaim the liberating love of God. The song "Vampire" by Olivia Rodrigo serves as a metaphor for the empire's deceitful nature, promising protection while exploiting and oppressing. The empire's narrative, much like the Pax Romana, is a facade of peace maintained through violence and control.
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of a week filled with significant events in Jesus' life, culminating in his crucifixion and resurrection. It is a time to remember the radical tradition of liberation that predates Jesus, rooted in the Jewish people's escape from Egyptian bondage. This tradition challenges the empire's narrative, reminding us that true peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of justice. The procession of Jesus on a donkey, juxtaposed with the military parade of Pontius Pilate, is a powerful act of political theater, mocking the empire's show of force and declaring a different kind of kingship.
As we shout "Hosanna," we hold the tension of needing salvation and celebrating its arrival. This cry is both a plea for liberation and a declaration of victory. It embodies the paradox of the kingdom already present and yet to come. In this spirit, we are called to engage in the movement of God's people, to embody the joy and freedom that comes from breaking free from the empire's grip. This Palm Sunday, let us remember that we are a liberated people, called to resist oppression and to live out the truth of God's kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
1. Breaking Up with Empire: The empire promises protection and prosperity but ultimately exploits and oppresses. We must recognize the deceitful nature of these systems and break free from their grip to embrace true liberation and love. [39:46]
2. The Power of Resistance: Palm Sunday is a reminder of the power of organized, peaceful resistance against oppressive forces. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was a bold declaration of a different kind of kingship, challenging the empire's narrative of peace through violence. [45:52]
3. The Paradox of Hosanna: The cry of "Hosanna" holds the tension of needing salvation and celebrating its arrival. It is both a plea for liberation and a declaration of victory, embodying the paradox of the kingdom already present and yet to come. [58:59]
4. True Peace vs. Pax Romana: The empire's version of peace is maintained through violence and control, but true peace is the presence of justice. We are called to reject the false promises of the empire and to live out the liberating love of God. [48:24]
5. Embodied Liberation: The movement of God's people is joyful, chaotic, and free, in contrast to the orderly and fearful energy of the empire. We are invited to embody this liberation, to move and live in the freedom that comes from breaking free from oppressive systems. [01:16:09]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Palm Sunday
- [02:15] - The Breakup Album Series
- [05:00] - Empire's Deceptive Nature
- [10:45] - The Triumphal Entry
- [15:30] - Passover and Liberation
- [20:00] - Roman Occupation and Resistance
- [25:45] - Pontius Pilate's Procession
- [30:00] - Jesus' Political Theater
- [35:00] - The Meaning of Hosanna
- [40:00] - Embodying Liberation
- [45:00] - Movement and Freedom
- [50:00] - Invitation to Engage
- [55:00] - Upcoming Holy Week Events
- [01:10:00] - Offering and Community Engagement
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 21:1-11 - The Triumphal Entry
2. Zechariah 9:9 - Prophecy of the King on a Donkey
3. Exodus 12:1-14 - The Passover
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#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did the people take during Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, and what did these actions symbolize? [54:13]
2. How does the sermon describe the contrast between Jesus' procession and Pontius Pilate's military parade? [45:52]
3. What is the significance of the palm branches in the context of the sermon? [56:53]
4. How does the sermon explain the meaning of "Hosanna" and its dual significance? [58:59]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon interpret the symbolism of Jesus riding a donkey instead of a horse, and what message does this convey about leadership? [54:13]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the empire's version of peace differs from true peace, and how is this relevant to the concept of justice? [48:24]
3. How does the sermon connect the historical context of Passover with the theme of liberation in Jesus' time? [43:33]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of organized, peaceful resistance in challenging oppressive systems? [51:30]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the need to "break up" with a system or relationship that was draining you. How did you find the courage to do so, and what was the outcome? [39:46]
2. The sermon describes the empire's peace as maintained through violence and control. How can you actively seek and promote true peace in your community that is rooted in justice? [48:24]
3. Consider the dual meaning of "Hosanna" as both a plea for help and a declaration of victory. How can you hold this tension in your own life, especially in challenging situations? [58:59]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of organized resistance. What steps can you take to become more involved in movements that resist oppression and promote liberation? [51:30]
5. How can you embody the joy and freedom described in the sermon, breaking free from the "freeze state" imposed by oppressive systems? What practical steps can you take this week to live more freely? [01:16:09]
6. Reflect on the symbolism of the palm branches as a statement of economic and political resistance. How can you use symbols or actions in your life to make a stand for what you believe in? [56:53]
7. The sermon encourages movement and engagement as a form of protest. How can you incorporate more movement, both physically and metaphorically, into your spiritual practice to express your faith and resistance? [01:18:54]
Devotional
Day 1: Breaking Free from Deceptive Systems
The empire often presents itself as a protector and provider, yet it ultimately exploits and oppresses those under its influence. This is a call to recognize the deceitful nature of these systems and to break free from their grip. Embracing true liberation and love requires a conscious decision to reject the false promises of the empire and to seek the liberating love of God. This journey of breaking up with the empire is not just a personal endeavor but a communal one, where we support each other in reclaiming our freedom and identity in God. [39:46]
Jeremiah 6:14 (ESV): "They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace."
Reflection: Identify a system or relationship in your life that promises security but drains you. How can you begin to break free from its grip today?
Day 2: The Power of Peaceful Resistance
Palm Sunday serves as a powerful reminder of the strength found in organized, peaceful resistance against oppressive forces. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was a bold declaration of a different kind of kingship, one that challenges the empire's narrative of peace through violence. This act of political theater invites us to consider how we can embody resistance in our own lives, standing firm in the face of injustice and oppression. By following Jesus' example, we can challenge the status quo and work towards a world where true peace and justice prevail. [45:52]
Isaiah 2:4 (ESV): "He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore."
Reflection: What is one way you can peacefully resist an injustice you see in your community this week?
Day 3: The Paradox of Salvation
The cry of "Hosanna" embodies the tension of needing salvation and celebrating its arrival. It is both a plea for liberation and a declaration of victory, reflecting the paradox of the kingdom already present and yet to come. This duality invites us to live in the tension of the "already" and the "not yet," recognizing that while we experience glimpses of God's kingdom now, its fullness is still to come. As we shout "Hosanna," we are reminded of our role in bringing about God's kingdom on earth, participating in the ongoing work of liberation and justice. [58:59]
Habakkuk 3:18-19 (ESV): "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel the tension between needing salvation and celebrating its arrival? How can you embrace this paradox today?
Day 4: True Peace Through Justice
The empire's version of peace, much like the Pax Romana, is maintained through violence and control. However, true peace is the presence of justice, where all people can live freely and fully. We are called to reject the false promises of the empire and to live out the liberating love of God, working towards a world where justice prevails. This involves actively seeking justice in our communities and advocating for those who are marginalized and oppressed. By doing so, we participate in the creation of a world that reflects God's kingdom. [48:24]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: How can you actively pursue justice in your community this week, and what steps can you take to ensure that your actions contribute to true peace?
Day 5: Embodying Joyful Liberation
The movement of God's people is characterized by joy, chaos, and freedom, in stark contrast to the orderly and fearful energy of the empire. We are invited to embody this liberation, to move and live in the freedom that comes from breaking free from oppressive systems. This involves embracing the joy and chaos of God's kingdom, allowing ourselves to be transformed by the liberating love of God. As we embody this liberation, we become agents of change in the world, spreading the message of freedom and hope to those around us. [01:16:09]
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV): "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
Reflection: What is one way you can embody the joy and freedom of God's kingdom in your daily life, and how can you share this with others?
Quotes
And how many of us have been bought into at some point or another imperialist propaganda where we look at those resisting and we say they're crazy. They're making trouble. They're causing unrest. Rest, so many of us have bought in until it came for us too when we started to see the cracks in the facade. [00:38:05] (24 seconds)
And so, today, on Palm Sunday, is a day when we remember, when we celebrate a very specific way that Jesus and the followers of Jesus, the peasants from the countryside, those most oppressed in that moment by the colonizing powers of the Roman Empire, said, no. I disbelieve you. I'm not bought into this. Your romancing won't work, and your violence won't keep me silent. [00:40:04] (23 seconds)
So Passover is the tradition, this time of remembering the liberating love of God. We talk about this every time we celebrate communion. And Jesus, in this big week, right, begins with Palm Sunday. A lot of the stories we think of, these iconic stories of what Jesus is doing. A bunch of his teachings, a bunch of his confrontations with the religious teachers, the flipping of the tables, the Last Supper, praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. All that's happening this week. This week. [00:42:34] (33 seconds)
So the Jewish people, a liberation people, were caught under the occupation of Rome. But every year, they still celebrated. They celebrated their memory of the time when they rose up with the love and grace and power of God to free themselves under the power of enslaving empire. This is a celebration not just of life over death, but of the oppressed over the oppressor. [00:43:57] (26 seconds)
It is a kind of parade, but it's a parade with a threat behind it. It's a huge demonstration of power and it outlines Rome's theology of peace. This is what peace is. This is the Pax Romana. This is the promise of empire. I will keep the peace through violence. I will keep the peace through dominance. I will keep the peace through fear. [00:46:46] (25 seconds)
Dr. King pointed out that peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice. The Pax Romana substitutes justice for paralysis, for inaction, and says, hey, as long as nothing is happening, we're okay. Never mind that I hold all the power. Never mind that you are frozen in place. Never mind that everyone is terrified. [00:49:31] (25 seconds)
And this is why Jewish Voices for Peace has been such a prominent and powerful source of leadership in the Free Palestine movement here in Milwaukee and all over the world. The people of God who have been equipped to remember that say we remember what it's like to be free, we will remember the truth of God's liberating love, and we will never forget the death and destruction of empire. [00:51:42] (26 seconds)
We talked about how good protest exposes the hypocrisy of empire, exposes the lies and laughs at its wickedness. Power hates being laughed at. And the reason is because when you can laugh at something, when you can expose how bereft it is, you can see that your power lies somewhere else. [00:52:44] (24 seconds)
And I want to draw your attention to the contrast here. This is political theater. The donkey, we're told, is Jesus being humble, right? Jesus is so chill. Isn't that great? Jesus is so chill. Except that that idea of the donkey, Jesus didn't just have it to be like, you know what? I could come in on a horse, but I'm going to choose a donkey because I don't want to be extra. Not the reasoning. Jesus didn't have this idea either. It also comes from Jewish tradition. [00:54:21] (32 seconds)
Hosanna is another word that's just become empty and churchy. Hasn't it? But Hosanna is packed. Packed with meaning. Hosanna, like everything else in our tradition, is paradox. Hosanna holds many truths at once. Some people try and describe Hosanna like save, please. But it also means salvation. Thank you. Praise God, the one who saves. [00:58:44] (28 seconds)
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