"God’s Gift of Peace" - Luke 19:28-40 - April 8, 2001

We don’t normally equate peace with power. Power is generally associated with force, control, dominance, might and authority. But Jesus enters Jerusalem as a King of peace and symbolically demonstrates his role as a leader of peace. His authority is supreme which is modeled by his riding on a donkey. In that day donkeys were the animal of choice for hill-country officials. The donkey was also the royal animal for Israelite kings because they were stable and less likely to break a leg in rough terrain.

Make no mistake, Jesus wanted society to understand him as a king. He was intentional about the selection of the donkey and gave specific directions to his disciples so that one would be available to him for his entrance. Jesus’ Palm Sunday ride was a direct reference to the inauguration of David’s son, Solomon. It is clear that Jesus intended the crowd to understand this royal symbolism.

Jesus wanted to be understood as king, a man of power, a man that deserved praise and adoration, a man who was seen as the leader of people. However, it is paramount that we understand that power was not military might, popularity or governmental authority. He power was "peace."

The peaceful power of Jesus had several dimensions. First, as described above he was no less powerful than kings, political, corporate, religious or otherwise. He was not out of his league however. What he had to offer was just as valid, just as meaningful, just as important than all others. He could not be silenced. He would not fail. He was a servant of the people, inclusive of everyone, and advocated harmony, togetherness, wholeness and especially peace.

The second dynamic of God’s power of peace is very subtle but immense. That is the power of the countless followers and/or disciples who made the Palm Sunday parade possible. They were the two disciples who fetched the donkey. They were the donkeys’ unnamed owners and those who spread their garments on the road. None of these folks are named but they were all instrumental in ushering in God’s messenger of peace.

It is the "behind the scenes - humble servant" type of individuals who use their gifts, talents and passion to keep the power of peace alive in our world. They are not the Nobel Peace Prize Winners. They are the "unknown" yet faithful, folks who believe in harmony, togetherness and wholeness. They are the people who stand for peace, live in peace, work for peace.

As this Palm Sunday story unfolds Luke includes the proclamation, "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest." This is no coincidence. At the time of Jesus’ birth, in chapter two of the gospel of Luke, the angels proclaim, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, PEACE among men of whom he is pleased." But now it is not the angels who are shouting. It is the multitude of disciples who are rejoicing and praising God with a loud voice.

The power of God which was announced in the beginning of Jesus’ ministry has now been transferred to his human followers. In other words, Jesus has created a following who have embraced peace as both their message and their mission. The peaceful power of God is instilled in a great multitude of people who will "carry the torch" in the future.

So far the power of God’s peace has been demonstrated through (1) the "kingship" of Jesus, (2) through unknown and nameless individuals doing specific acts and (3) through the multitude of followers. There is, however a fourth dynamic of God’s power of peace which is present in the "stones."

This past week, my wife brought home a small stone. "What’s this piece of rock doing on the kitchen counter?" I asked. She responded by saying that the stone was part of a brick which was from the old stadium in Springfield, Ohio. Now, my wife is no sports lover but this stone is symbolic of part of her home town. It can’t speak and by looking at it you could not tell that it has any significance. But, to her it has value.

When Jesus said to the Pharisees that even the "stones would cry out," he was saying that there is no way you can suppress God’s power of peace. If all the voices, even the multitudes were unable to proclaim God’s message of peace, the rocks would still speak.

Let me illustrate it another way. If you visit the Grand Canyon you are awed by its majestic presence and power. No matter where you stand you can’t see it in its entirety. These wondrous formations, cliffs, gorges, and enormous rocks simply overwhelm you with their presence. They are not alive. They are not like people or donkeys who are free to move about. They are inanimate objects but they still exist. They still have truth.

God’s power of peace cannot be quenched. God’s peace is the truth. God’s peace is extolled both in the heavens and on earth. God’s peace is impregnable. God’s peace is eternal. God’s peace is more powerful than humankind. God’s peace is bigger than life. God’s gift to the world in Jesus is the gift of peace.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio