Flam Church, (1670) Flam, Norway. 2016
(Photo krb)
We want the warhorse.
Jesus rides a donkey.
We want the eagle.
The Holy Spirit comes as a dove.
We want Barabbas.
Jesus stands in chains.
We want swords.
Jesus takes up a cross.
We want the lion.
God comes as a lamb.
We keep trying to arm God.
God keeps trying to disarm us.
Benjamin R Cremer (2024)
So, two processions head for Jerusalem. One with all the pomp, power and discipline of the empire supported by the panoply of acolytes, the establishment church and the local government officials all believing that they have the upper hand, the power to make things happen that will benefit them.
The other procession is the rag tag mob of peasants who follow Jesus proclaiming a new vision of the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom based entirely on unconditional love for all, even those supposedly powerful people in the other procession. This procession is like the circus has come to town. Colourful indeed but in a way unlike the other procession. Not regimented, not powerful in the earthly sense but challenging, nonetheless.
And these two worlds collide as they always do, as they still do today. The powerful move to extinguish the threat as they still do today.
Only, once the power of the Kingdom of God - the power of love is unleashed upon the world there is no stopping it. It cannot be extinguished.
Peace, justice and blessing to all as we continue our journey through Holy Week.
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