SERMONS

Rev. Stephen Gituma Guantai
March 28th, 2010
Text: Luke 19:28-40

Introduction: Today around the world Christians are celebrating Palm Sunday, An event that has been celebrated for many centuries. During this particular time, God-fearing people from different parts of the world were coming to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover.

This celebration was a commemoration of the mighty deeds of God, remembering when God rescued the children of Israel from slavery. Don’t that the Egyptians’ entire first born had to die in a single night in order for the children of Israel to be saved from the hands of the ruthless Egyptians.

So, it was tradition of the religious people of the day to meet every year in Jerusalem to offer sacrifice as they remember what God had done for them. They did this without knowing that one day Jesus would go there to replace the killing of animals and offer himself as a sacrificial lamb.

It was about five days before the feast of Passover celebration took place. And knowing his time was approaching to offer himself as a sacrifice, Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem from Bethany which was about two miles away from Jerusalem.

Our text this morning is heavily packed with very important points which I want to point out briefly. First, if you have noticed, the text starts with the word “after”. After telling the people about his own death in a parable, Jesus turned his face toward Jerusalem, on the way he send two of his disciples saying, 30 “Go to the village and ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied thee, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone ask you, ’why are you untying it? Tell him, ‘the Lord needs it.’”

I’ll bet you would agree with me that if something like this happened in America today, especially if it is done by a stranger as in the Scripture, the first thing a person would do is to call 911! The caller would describe that person perhaps with the ugliest words you can imagine. They would not fail to mention that the stranger is dangerous. They would make sure they told the emergency operator that the stranger was a thief and should be picked up immediately for the safety of everyone.

However, part of good news here is that when you are doing God’s work; God will always protect you and give you the right words to speak. When the two disciples went to get the colt, they found exactly what Jesus had told them, and they were asked the very question which Jesus expected them to be asked.

What does this mean to us as followers of Christ? What does it mean to our discipleship to be placed potentially in harm’s way as we follow Christ?

It means that when you are in or doing God’s business, God will always give you an answer to every question you will be asked. It means that when you become a follower of Christ, you are mandated to go out and do what the Lord requires of you. And if anybody asks you why, just say, “The Lord needs it to be done.” When the two disciples were asked why they were untying the colt, they just repeated what Jesus had told them.

It also means that God is sending you to go out and untie those who have been tied up in the world, so that God can make use of them.

Some of us have been labeled beasts of burden like that donkey. Some of us in this world, those of us who have been tied up, are waiting to be freed so that God may have use of us! This is a challenge for us in our privilege, because perhaps we as a society have become self-centered and individuals that have become our own god!

This week I was driving home when I noticed two of our neighbors’ kids getting into an unknown Limousine which was parked near the park by a Boys and Girls club, out of curiosity, I called on of the neighbor and asked if his daughter was being picked up, But he replied with a startle NO! I turned my car around and went back to see what was happening and before I parked he came out of his house without even shoes. When I asked the driving what he was doing opening the back door for those two little girl, he first replied rudely, When I told him I should have called police even without talking to him and I should actual do so, he changed his tone and started apologizing; saying that he was there to pick one the children and those two kids asked if they could see the inside of the limousine.

My aim was not to put this man into trouble but I was concern with the safety of those children. For I believe it is my responsibility to be concerned with safety of those who are vulnerable. In fact it is our responsibility to stand up for them, especially those who have been tied because of their color, race or gender orientation, God needs to use us all.

This reminds me of one of my favorite chorus that says, “You need to live a life that the Lord may use you, at anytime and anywhere.” However don’t lose focus, this is not all about you; it because our Lord, who is the king of glory needs it to be done.”

This gives rise to the term the “King.” Perhaps one the questions which people have wrestled with is this: If Jesus Christ was entering Jerusalem as King, why ride on a borrowed donkey? The answer is simply the Lord needs it done that way, for God’s purpose is not to cause chaos or unnecessary war. Jesus’ ways are not like our ways. There was no need to ride in on a stallion with swords drawn. Christ’s intentions are to seek peace and justice for all. His riding on donkey seems contrary to all the kings we have heard about in the Bible. The image we have of kings is that of someone riding a horse with a chariot, accompanied by well-trained and well equipped soldiers.

Compare this with our modern world. The president will have tight security all around him, including a presidential motorcade, and helicopters, who knows what other measures. Don’t mistake me; there is nothing wrong with that, for indeed we are living in a messy and cruel world. However, my point is that there is something unique in this image, for to seek of peace, the greatest of all kings—Jesus Christ, our humbled King, made a peaceful entry into Jerusalem riding on borrowed donkey.

Although Christ was known as the King of the Jews and the Son of God, and people could have expected him to enter Jerusalem as the one who has earthly power and authority. Jesus refused to do that, for God’s kingdom is not about power, it’s all about humility, humbleness and love. I believe this is one of the reasons why Jesus Christ refused to enter Jerusalem as an earthly King, riding on a horse and chariot!

Being God in human form, his main concern was to bring salvation to all people in a peaceful manner. Therefore, any Palm Sunday celebration that ignores the humbleness and humility of Jesus Christ will distort the real purpose of Christ coming on earth. Today as a church we are joining the rest of the world Palms Sunday, but I have question: Do you realized that those people were “celebrating” the promise of things which were about to happen? That in reality they were celebrating and ushering in the suffering and the death of Jesus Christ? Think about it. Jesus was going to Jerusalem not to be crowned as the King of the Jews but to die!

When I was reflecting on this passage, an image that came to my mind is that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in his final speech on the eve of his assassination, (April 3rd, 1963 in Memphis Tennessee), and I suspect this is somehow he felt, when said, “I don’t know what will happen now; we’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now, because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life; Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountaintop. And I have looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want to know tonight that we as a people will get to the Promised Land. And I am happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything; I do not fear any man. My eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!” 1

Those who are committed to doing God’s will do not concern themselves with being recognized as leaders or hero, and it is when we understand the value humbleness and humility that we will begin to notice the absence of justice and peace in our families and the whole community .

When Martin King said this, people did not understand what he was talking about. The same case applies to many of us today. Let us look at our current situation in America. For many, there are difficult days ahead. Many people have lost their jobs, and it is especially painful when a spouse has lost his or her job. These are difficult days. I know this for myself. Have you ever considered how painful it is, particularly for husbands, who in my culture are traditionally known as the heads of the family to not be able to work? Let me tell you this—those who have gone through this are like a scared chicken. You may be expecting that they are simply happy and enjoying every day. You may assume that everything is well with them. Just remember this, that some are in their own world, nursing their own pain because they are afraid, for they do not know what future hold for them and their families. Some may ask, “What’s wrong with you?” You’re frozen and you try to filter the next word that comes out of your mouth. By saying this I am speaking for men and husbands, for this is what I know best, but these difficult days include women and men, our sons and daughters, our relatives and friends.

Pain and suffering can either destroy you or save you, depending on what you want to do with it. You can either give up and go down the path of darkness and live a more miserable life or keep your head up and keep on moving forward toward even when you cannot see and way out. You can believe that someone is coming to untie you, because Jesus Christ has need of you. This is redemption! Jesus who had all the power to change things around could not bear the pain of seeing God’s children going to hell instead of entering eternal glory. So there was a need for Jesus to go through what he went through in order to save us. And it is for this reason that I dare say that no matter what you going through, you are not alone! Though you may be tied in your own circumstances, our God is a God who suffers with us when we are suffering and rejoices with us when we are rejoicing! When I say this, I am aware that people would love to have a God who will physically fight for them; but God’s battle is not that of flesh and blood. Therefore, God will let people be who they what to be and do want they want to be. This is one of the human basics or so it is believed. Right?

This is my final point. I tend to believe that this is why the world is in such a mess today. So few of us want to hear any to do with praising of this God. Listen to this: (v39) “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher order your disciples to be quiet!” Jesus replied, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out!” The Pharisees could not bear the pain of hearing the shout of truth. That Jesus is the savior. The Bible say the Word of God is cutting edge, God needs people who will shout to the world, proclaiming the mighty needs of God. God has need of people who without any fear will go out and cry out for justice, truth and peace. God needs people who will seek justice for all without self gain. God is looking for you to ride a borrowed but liberated donkey for the glory of God. God has need of it. Therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ let us go out and praise Our God not only with words but also by walking and with those who are facing challenges in life. And if anybody question just say the Lord Needs to be done. Amen

This sermon was preached at Bethany United Church of Christ. This Sermon is Copyright ©2010 by Rev. Stephen Gituma Guantai. If you would like use any part of this sermon, Please contact Bethany United Church of Christ. All rights reserved