Oppressive Caesar or Liberating Christ? | Monday Invocation

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”

—  Luke 19:38 NRSVUE

During the week before Passover, devout Jewish people made the journey to Jerusalem, which bustled as preparations to commemorate their liberation from Egypt were underway.

Astride a gleaming white stallion, Pontius Pilate arrived, in a grand procession with a full fledged show of force. He left his beach house in Caesarea to undermine any rebellion that may pop up against the occupying Romans during the festival. He came with the backing of ultimate military might, surrounded by his most devoted soldiers.

Controlled by Rome, the old realm that proclaims Caesar as Lord meets in the streets a movement for the last and the least, a subversion of power that returns it, rightfully, to the hands of Jesus as Lord.

As foretold, Jesus sent his disciples to borrow an untested young donkey, and with their cloaks on its back in place of a saddle, he began his ride towards the temple. Those who turned out to observe Pilate’s arrival heard the whispers that Jesus was coming, and they raced to observe a different procession. The people proceeded to spread their cloaks before him, shouting Hosanna, welcoming their king right under the nose of the occupiers.

Jesus is coming out as the Messiah, the King of Israel. His disciples shouted and sang for joy that the prophecy of Zechariah had been fulfilled. The Pharisees were not pleased, as they are more devoted to decorum and the law. So, they shouted to Jesus to silence the people.

Coming from Bethpage to the East Gate of Jerusalem, the road came down the side of the Mount of Olives. If one glanced upward, one would see the rock-cut cave tombs there, which had been the resting place of faithful Jewish people. Are these the stones Jesus said would cry out should every living tongue fall still? The joy over his arrival was so truly dedicated to the glory of the living God that it could not be silenced.

Many who sang, shouted and lavished praise were eager to revolt against Rome, and believed that their deliverer had come to lead them in that fight. It would soon become clear that Jesus was not there to satisfy their earthly desire for physical revolution and liberation through violent resistance. He came not to rule by earthly means, conquering Jerusalem by force—this is not the Jesus of Nationalism. He came to serve his fellow victims of imperial power, subvert the government and bring a revolution of love, grace, and mercy, and ultimately, to sacrifice himself for the salvation of all people.

As we revisit this story, the question is raised: who will we march with? The Empire, or the Outcasts? Oppressive Caesar, or liberating Christ?