Proclaimed on March 20, 2005

Terry took up her telephone receiver to call a close friend. When there was an answer at the other end of the line, she didn’t quite recognize the voice. It sounded hoarse. Concerned, Terry asked how she was doing. The woman at the other end answered, “I feel so terrible. My headaches. My back is killing me. My legs won’t hold me up any more. My house is a mess, . . . and my children are driving me up a wall!”

Now feeling great compassion, Terry responded, “Go and lie down. I’ll come right over. I’ll cook your lunch, straighten up the house, and mind the children while you are resting.” Then she asked, “By the way, how is Sam?” After a brief hesitation the other woman inquired, “Sam?” Terry answered, “Yes, your husband Sam.” To which the lady responded, “My husband is not named Sam.” “Good I must have dialed the wrong number!” After a very long pause the other lady despaired, “Then you’re not coming over?!”

The woman’s response is very easy to understand. After having such hope apparently handed over to her, she was now faced with the stark reality of her disappointment. This is the same story that is in our Gospel lesson. The followers of Jesus had fully expected him to become the next Messiah of Israel. Therefore, upon accompanying him to Jerusalem they fully expected Jesus to enter the gates, lead them to the hated Roman Fortress of Antonia that overlooked their beloved Temple and raise it. Then Jesus would take them to Herod’s palace, the last bastion of their enemies nearby and conquer it for the Jews. So certain were they that this would occur that they spread their coats and palm leaves before him as he rode into the city, loudly declaring that he was their king. They were pumped! Like the lady finding unexpected help coming to her from the other end of the phone, they were excited about what was about to happen.

Jesus, much like Terry, however, did not respond in the manner in which they hoped so fervently. First of all, he rode into the city on a donkey. This was a symbol of peace. A conquering king would have ridden in on a white stallion. Then he went into the Temple and began knocking over tables and chasing out the moneychangers in the Court of the Gentiles, proclaiming that his father’s house was a house of prayer and not the den of thieves they had created. Instead of attacking the detested gentiles, Jesus was defending them by confronting the priests. Jesus seemed to be attacking the most beloved symbol of the Hebrew people rather then their deplorable overlords!

Within days these same Temple authorities had Jesus arrested. He was taken to the Roman governor to be put to death. Pilot found no guilt in him. Trying to save an innocent man, Pilot attempted to implement a Roman custom. He offered to release a prisoner of their choice. Here the choice was between Jesus Barrabbas, a failed insurrectionist who had spilled Roman blood in his attempt to free Israel, and Jesus. The disappointed Jews loudly supported the release of Barrabbas. At least he was willing to fight the Romans on their behalf. At least he had drawn some Roman blood. It was as though they were saying to Jesus, “Man, you let us down! You are not who we thought you were!”

This remains true for us today, as well. On this Palm Sunday, during this very service, we outwardly acknowledge our disappointment of Jesus. Let’s be honest. These disappointments exist. Just think about it for a moment. When did you last believe that God was going to doing something special for you? How did it feel when it did not happen? We all have these disappointments. After all, did Jesus not tell us to ask and it would be given to us, knock and the doors would be open to us? I for one can think of several personal dashed expectations. Initially, often I questioned my faith thinking there was something wrong with me. When the hours got the darkest, however, and my faith got the lowest, it became quite easy to believe that God had failed me.

Today we have been given a liturgical way in which to respond to these disappointments. Like those early Hebrews, today we chose Barrabbas. At least he tried. He didn’t attack those things most sacred to us. He went after the real enemy. Today in this service, we express our disappointments about God!