As we step into what Christian tradition calls “Holy Week”, I can’t help but wobble at the stark contrast of the new “Religious Freedom Law” that was recently passed in the state of Indiana. On Palm Sunday, celebrated this past Sunday, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey with tears spilling out of his eyes; weeping for a people who have missed the point of his presence among them. People who are, in that moment, singing his praises. Yet soon, will be chanting for his crucifixion because they want a king through violent rebellion rather than a revolutionary King of compassion. Jesus is riding into Jerusalem preparing to wash the feet of the very person who will betray him and have him arrested, all leading to the most brutal and humiliating death the Roman Empire can construct.
Jesus shares a final meal with his disciples after washing their feet, serving them in the most simple and humble way. At this meal he walks them, once again, through his way of putting back together everything that has been taken apart. He teaches them that loving one another and serving one another will be the signs they are walking in his ways, following in his foot steps. At this same meal, while Jesus’s words are echoing off the walls, these same disciples are arguing over who is the greatest among them. They are sitting at a table with the very Savior they need—that we all need—but they are asking him if he will reserve them the best seat at a different table. The broken table of pride, oppression, and a false victory through violence.
People sitting at the same table as Jesus, yet their ears are deaf to his message.
Today I am bombarded with the news of a law in Indiana being passed which allows people to refuse service to other human beings because of their beliefs? It is reported that those who organized the law, lobbied for it, and then signed it, were self-proclaimed Christians.
Those claiming to follow Jesus organizing a law that keeps them from serving others?
Jesus dismantled the political ways of his day through love and service to all people. He was slammed to a cross FOR the very people pounding the nails into his hands and feet. Over two thousand years later, self-proclaimed followers of this same Jesus are using the political arena to avoid serving their neighbor?
Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry he served and loved those who he disagreed with. Yes, he invited them to follow him, and yes, he invited them to walk with him rather than away from him. Yes, he sometimes had very poignant and firm words for them to leave the ways in which they were currently living, but all this took place through face to face conversation, which Jesus either initiated or warmly welcomed. He consistently met people on their turf, offering them grace and peace through life with him. He invited people to follow him as he demonstrated a new way to live, and this way would show others who they were following. It was a way, it is THE way. A living, breathing, visible action that communicates belief. How Jesus loved, served, sacrificed, and selflessly gave showed the world around them who and what they would believe in. His non-violent actions may very well subvert and call out the backwards way of the empire, and may very well put his life in jeopardy. These actions demonstrate a life of love and service, not of conquest and discrimination.
People sang praises to Jesus one moment, and the next moment were yelling to have him killed. People had their feet washed by Jesus and shared a meal with him, all while completely missing the reason for the cleansing and symbolism of that very meal. It happened then and it happens today. On the other side of Jesus’ crucifixion was resurrection, both for Jesus and for most of the disciples who were dead to what he was actually doing. His resurrection awakened their hearts to his way of love, service, and sacrifice. Jesus on the cross forgives our ignorance and buries our divisive actions. Jesus’ resurrection invites us and empowers us to live out his ways, and to serve others with his love in the most generous of ways. There is no lid on love. So there is hope for you and me today, hope to be awakened to a new way of living. Hope that our actions and ways will demonstrate our love for God through our love for our neighbor.
Jesus, riding on a donkey, collided with the empire and self-serving ways back then. And Jesus and his way have collided with the empire and self-serving ways of today. Resurrection offered people a second chance back then, and I believe it can offer the same to you and me today. So as we find ourselves in the season of resurrection, may we be awakened to the way of Jesus, and may we seize this chance to live the way of love and service to all people.
