“Created to be Disciples”

Palm Sunday

April 13, 2025

cross made of palm leaf

Luke 19:28-40

Earlier in Luke 19, Jesus was making his way through Jericho when he saw a man trying to catch a glimpse of him through the crowd. The man had climbed a tree in order to see better. The man, Zacchaeus, was a tax collector, and the whole city hated him. And yet, Jesus invited himself to Zacchaeus’ house for a meal. Zacchaeus said that he would repay everyone everything he stole through his position—and more! And Jesus identified Zacchaeus as one who had been lost and now was found. Restored. Reclaimed by God.

Then, Jesus told a parable. It was about an unjust and horrible king who went out to conquer another country for himself. While he was away, he entrusted his slaves with money with which to do his business. But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation to the warring country to warn them what a bad leader he was.

Sadly, the king was successful and gained power. When he returned he had his slaves tell how his business had gone. The first slave had doubled the money, and the king gave him rule over 10 cities. The second had also made money, and the king game him rule over 5 cities. The third slave told the king he didn’t trust him, so he buried the money and gave the king back only what was his. The king was angry that the slave didn’t at least put the money in a legitimate bank where he could make legitimate money in interest. And then the king commanded that the citizens who defied him and were un-loyal would be slaughtered.

After Jesus said this, he continued his trip to Jerusalem, where he gave instructions on procuring a donkey for his ride into the city.

I tell you this whole story because the parable Jesus tells is the exact opposite of who Jesus is. The power the king wields—power built on fear and mistrust—is the exact opposite of the power Jesus has. Jesus’ power comes from the Holy Spirit, given to him at his baptism. It’s the power to heal and make whole. It’s the power to speak on behalf of God. It’s the power to proclaim God’s rule over any other who would call themselves king—or queen. And that power comes to town in the most humble way possible. On a donkey. To the cries of the people—people who love him, not fear him.

He draws a very distinct line between the powers of this world and the power of God. Who will we follow? Where is our allegiance? Who is our God? That is the question today’s actions ask. And what we do in response tells the world our answer. Not what we say. What we DO.

We are created to be Disciples. But…disciples of whom, exactly?

One direction leads to life, and the other to death. One will lead to difficulty, and the other to temporary glory and ease. One will lead to the cross, and the other to the tomb. One will lead to resurrection, abundant life, eternal hope, unending love, divine peace—and the other to dust. That’s how we started this season, isn’t it? Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

What the king had so easily forgotten—or denied—was that he, too, is dust. His temporary glory won’t save him. His conquered lands won’t save him. And if he had any sense at all, he would recognize that the more courage and anger his citizens and slaves muster, the easier it will be to unseat him.

Jesus doesn’t make that mistake. Because he’s not in it for glory. In fact, Philippians 2 specifically states that he turned away all glory and power due him. He turned down everything that comes with being God. Because unless he was fully human—unless he truly experienced our frailty, pain, suffering, as well as our joys and excitement—he would not have any impact on our redemption. If he didn’t enter our reality completely, he couldn’t bring us out from it completely.

So, he chose not to grasp at the power afforded God for himself. He did not exploit who he was for his own benefit. Any time he used power was to help others. To heal others. To bring others life. Hope. It’s HIS leadership the world needs. But, as we know, it’s that same leadership that we don’t trust. It’s that same humble goodness that we kill. Every time.

Because, even more than our fear of bad strength is our fear of good weakness. How could weakness ever save anyone? How do we trust a God who refuses to destroy God’s enemies? How do we trust a God who chooses to redeem evil? So, we choose the evil king and think that the few vulnerable lives lost are worth it. As long as we’re on the winning team.

This week, we will watch even Jesus’ disciples turn their backs on the goodness of God. Judas’ loyalty can be bought. Peter is afraid of being beaten and killed alongside Jesus. A thief hanging beside him will taunt him. Soldiers will beat him. Disciples will run in fear. The women will weep at his death. And the whole earth will signify its loss as the sun darkens and the ground shakes.

And it’s okay. God knows that being a disciple isn’t easy. It isn’t popular. It isn’t a straight path through a flowering garden. It is a difficult road. It winds through the wilderness. It confronts death and evil and mocking. It is regularly faced with doubt and shame and questions and fear. But we ARE created to be disciples. In all of our imperfections and false starts. Because at the very core of discipleship is love. Love of God. Love for God. Love with God. Through it all, the weakness we see on the cross and the glory we see at the tomb is all the same thing. It is God’s love. God’s love for Judas. For Peter. For Pilate. For Herod. For Mary. For Zacchaeus. For the soldiers. For you.

Pastor Tobi White

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church

Lincoln, NE