For Christians around the world, this coming Sunday is known as Palm Sunday. It commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem that begins “Holy Week.”
The depiction of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem focuses on the new kind of king who fulfilled what God revealed to the prophet Zechariah centuries before (Matthew 21: 4-5)
4This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
Jesus’ decision to enter Jerusalem in this way stood in sharp contrast to how Roman political and military authorities entered the city in grand processions that symbolized their power and domination. God sent a new kind of king who humbly identified with marginalized and vulnerable people. In this way, Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem was a symbol of his entire teaching and ministry.
During the upcoming week, Jesus challenged the religious authorities who conspired with the Romans to have him arrested, tortured, and executed by crucifixion. The week culminates with God raising Jesus from the dead on Easter Sunday as the vindication of Jesus’ Way of nonviolent, self-sacrificial, redemptive love. For those of us who follow this king, we are called both to receive and share this Way of love with all people.
As we prepare to commemorate Palm Sunday at a time when our nation is at war, some Americans who identify as Christian want to transform Jesus into a king made in our own image who favors our nation above all others and crushes our enemies. Earlier this week, there was a prayer service at the Pentagon. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth used a prayer given to him by a chaplain who participated in the raid on Venezuela in January. Here is an excerpt from that prayer:
“Grant this task force clear and righteous targets for violence. Surround them as a shield, protect the innocent and blameless in their midst. Make their arrows like those of a skilled warrior who returned not empty-handed. Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation,” Hegseth continued praying. “Give them wisdom in every decision, endurance for the trial ahead, unbreakable unity, and overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy. Preserve their lives, sharpen their resolve, and let justice be executed swiftly and without remorse that evil may be driven back and wicked souls delivered to the eternal damnation prepared for them. For the wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. We ask these things with bold confidence in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus Christ, King over all kings and amen.” The video posted below includes the entire prayer.
Would the king Jesus of Palm Sunday affirm this kind of prayer? We don’t have wonder for long. Here are his own words about engaging the “enemy” (Matthew 5: 43-45):
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
We can’t have it both ways. The choice is ours.