Palm Sunday’s lesser-known cast
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Russ Waldrop / News Virginian
Published: March 14, 2008
We are about to celebrate that great drama of redemption called Holy Week. One group of nameless cast members might teach us about living our own discipleship in that drama.
The drama begins with Jesus' "Triumphal Entry" into Jerusalem on a young donkey. Interestingly, he made some secretive arrangements with persons unknown who helped him with his prophetic entrance. Why all the intrigue as though there was some divine mystery being plotted out- Because, frankly, there was.
Several days before Holy Week, Jesus was having supper with Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Judas was there, too. As treasurer for the twelve (John 12:5-6), he filed a complaint against Mary for pouring a pint of expensive cologne on Jesus' feet to honor him for what his raising Lazarus from the dead meant to their family. Jesus quickly dismissed the complaint and interpreted her gesture as an anointing for his funeral. These were the major players on the eve of Palm Sunday. Enter now the minor ones.
On the next day Jesus conducts a successful a healing service. Then, without explanation, he instructs two people, "Go into the village up ahead and you will immediately find a donkey colt that has never been ridden. It is tied up and ready for you to pick up. Untie it and bring it here" (Mark 10:46-52).
This implies several things: Jesus has already been up to that village; he has met and made plans with people inside the city gates about a donkey; specifically, one less than a year old that has not been ridden. Why so specific-
Furthermore, Jesus gave them a password to use if challenged. After all, a young donkey would someday be as useful to its owner as horses are to ranchers today. It must be handled by people trusted to treat it well. The password was, "The master needs it and will return it immediately." Did the password identify Jesus as the "master" of the colt - that is, its owner- Or, was he the "Master" of those who provided the colt - that is, these unknown followers- The Greek wording can be read either way.
Well, sure enough, there's the colt, safely tied to the door of someone's house, but wait! Here come some surly-looking strangers, demanding, "What are you doing there, untying that colt-" Fortunately, the password works and they step aside for the transaction (Mark 11:4-6). They have played their dramatic role faithfully and Holy Week begins on time.
John explains much of the mystery. Jesus' study of the Old Testament revealed that the Messiah would not ride the expected warhorse into Jerusalem for his Victory March. Instead, he would ride a colt that was too young and wild for any rider's macho image (John 12:15; Zach. 9:9). What a scene for the Messiah, weaving from one side of the road to the other through busy downtown Jerusalem, struggling to stay on! It was all a part of his "motivation" as he interpreted his Messianic role.
Palm Sunday depended upon a small cast of unidentified characters living out their discipleship in every detail. Their faithfulness teaches us the importance of our own roles in the Easter drama of redemption. We have the script. The stage is set. The curtain goes up Sunday. This show must go on. Do you know your part-
The Rev. Russell G. Waldrop, D. Min., LPC, is a pastoral counselor and is chaplain of Western State Hospital. Contact him at 540-332-8004 or .
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