The Shepherd King

March 24, 2024 Palm Sunday homily on Mark 11:1-11 by Pastor Galen

The Shepherd King

Certain characters in stories are known for their unique modes of transportation. For example, who do you think of when you think of the following modes of transportation?

• Sleigh pulled by reindeer (Santa)
• Magic carpet (Aladdin)
• A carriage made out of a pumpkin (Cinderella)
• A magic umbrella (Mary Poppins)
• Broomstick (a witch/Harry Potter)
• And who hops around delivering Easter eggs? (Easter Bunny)

Similarly, when the Jewish people in Jesus’s day saw a king riding on a donkey, they would have immediately thought of King David. 

In 2 Samuel 13:29, we see that all of David’s sons rode donkeys (or mules), and in 1 King 1:33 when David was ready to turn the “reigns” of his kingdom over to his son Solomon (pun intended), he instructed the priest and prophets to place Solomon on David’s own mule. 

A donkey, or mule, might seem like an odd choice for a king like David, who we often think of as a warrior. But riding a donkey was a more sensible choice for David than a war horse, as he traversed the rugged terrain of his kingdom that had yet to develop infrastructure such as roads. Donkeys can also travel further than horses, and with less water. And a donkey was in keeping with his image as a humble, shepherd king, since David was indeed a shepherd before he became king. 

And so, when the people saw Jesus entering the city of Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday in a procession, riding on a donkey, they would have immediately thought of King David and his sons, and of the prophecy given by the prophet Zechariah, 500 years before the time of Christ:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!

    Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you;

    triumphant and victorious is he,

humble and riding on a donkey,

    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zachariah 9:9)

The Prince of Peace

In his book, The Way, pastor Adam Hamilton points out that two other royal processions would have also been entering the city of Jerusalem that same day. Pilate, the Roman governor, would have entered the city from the west, along with 1,000 Roman soldiers on chariots, horseback, and on foot. “This show of force was designed to suppress any thoughts of rebellion during the Passover. After all, the festival marked the Jew’s release from bondage in Egypt, so the celebration always carried an undertone of hope for liberation” (The Way). Pilate’s procession was intended to show who was really in charge. Later in the week, in fact, Pilate intended to crucify several known rebels, so that as the Jewish people celebrated Passover they would be reminded that it was fruitless to rebel against Rome.

On that same day, King Herod Antipas would have entered the city from the North, along with his own entourage of soldiers. Herod Antipas ruled over the regions north and east of Judea, but many hoped that Rome would one day allow him to rule over their entire land. Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, was also familiar with using violence to keep the people in check, and indeed he was the one who had beheaded John the Baptist. Herod’s supporters would have lined the streets as he entered Jerusalem, cheering as he arrived.

It’s not difficult to imagine that Pilate and Herod’s entourages included a lot of warhorses and stallions since they ruled by force and intimidation. But in his decision to ride into Jerusalem on a humble donkey, in line with the Davidic kings of old, Jesus proclaimed himself as the peaceful king who rules, not through military might, but through self-sacrificial love. Indeed, the events following his procession into Jerusalem, which included confronting the religious leaders and overturning the tables of the money changers in the temple, washing the feet of his disciples and commanding them to love one another, and giving his life on the cross for the sins of the world, demonstrate his undying commitment to change the world, not through military might, but through the even more powerful force of love.

In Matthew and Luke’s Gospel accounts, as Jesus drew near to the city of Jerusalem, Jesus wept over the city as he thought about its impending destruction. Indeed, just 40 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the people of Jerusalem tried to revolt against Rome, but their rebellion was crushed, and the temple was destroyed. Jesus did not weep over the destruction of the temple, but rather the people’s rejection of his way, the way of peace and love, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace!” (Luke 19:42).

My prayer this morning is that we would be among those who recognize “the things that make for peace,” who accept Jesus for who he was and is, rather than trying to mold Jesus into our image. May we not only hail Jesus as our Savior but may we ultimately follow him as King. And may we follow in his footsteps, loving and serving one another, as Jesus taught us.

Amen!

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. Modes of Transportation: Reflect on the various modes of transportation mentioned in the sermon, such as the donkey for King David and Jesus, and how they reflect different aspects of leadership and kingship. Consider what these modes of transportation symbolize and how they shape our understanding of leadership and power.

2. Comparison of Processions: Compare and contrast the three processions entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday: Jesus on a donkey, Pilate with Roman soldiers, and Herod Antipas with his entourage. Reflect on how each procession reflects different values, ideologies, and methods of leadership.

3. The Humble King: Explore the significance of Jesus choosing to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a warhorse, despite the expectations of kingship during that time. Reflect on what this choice reveals about Jesus’ character, leadership style, and mission.

4. The Prince of Peace: Reflect on the difference between ruling through military might versus ruling through self-sacrificial love. How does Jesus’ message of peace challenge conventional notions of power and authority?

5. Recognizing the Things that Make for Peace: Reflect on Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem and his desire for its people to recognize “the things that make for peace.” Consider how this message applies to our present context. What are the things that truly make for peace in our lives, communities, and world?

6. Following Jesus as King: Consider what it means to follow Jesus as King. Reflect on how Jesus’ example of love, service, and sacrifice informs our understanding of discipleship and leadership. How can we emulate Jesus’ example in our daily lives?

7. Personal Response: Reflect on your personal response to the sermon. How does it challenge your understanding of leadership, power, and discipleship? What practical steps can you take to align more closely with Jesus’ example of humble, servant leadership?