Palm Sunday

11 Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Such a great anti-climax to all that has come before.

It is strange that Mark tells the story this way - in Matthew 21:12 and Luke 19:45 he goes straight into the temple and starts turning over the tables.

But in Mark’s telling of the story the turning of the tables happens on Monday and when Jesus arrives in the temple on Sunday he goes unnoticed.

So I think Mark is making a point.

A point about the blindness of those who should be looking for Jesus in the temple.

We have to keep Malachi 3:1 in mind as we read this:

Malachi 3:1 (NRSV)

…and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.

The people should be expecting the Messiah - watching and waiting for him - but when the Messiah comes no one even notices him.

Blind Bartimaeus

Just before Mark 11:1-11 there is the story of the healing of blind Bartimaeus - ‘a blind beggar - sitting by the roadside.’

The funny thing about Blind Bartimaeus is that he sees Jesus - when in the temple - nobody even notices him.

This shouldn’t surprise us. Jesus already told us at the beginning of Mark’s gospel - in chapter 4:

Mark 4:12 NRSV

12 in order that ‘they may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.’ ”

Blind Bartimaeus sees - but the people in the temple appear to be blind.

The Lord - has suddenly come to the temple (Mal 3:1) but everyone seems a bit busy with their religious work.

Why does Bartimaeus see?

Back to that Palm Sunday - it is about a day’s journey from Jericho to Jerusalem.

Preparing for Crucifixion

Jesus and his disciples have planned the journey carefully. Even making arrangements to collect a donkey for the triumphal procession.

Jesus has been talking about this - and explaining it for some time to his disciples.

They don’t really understand - even though he began telling them in Mark 8 already:

Mark 8:31 NRSV

31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

But they are doing what he has told them to do - and on this Sunday - the first day of the week - before Passover - Jesus and his disciples are a little bit stressed -

Re-enacting Zechariah 9:9

Jericho to Jerusalem is a day’s march at least. They need to get to the temple mountain in time to stage the triumphal march - reenacting the prophecy of Zechariah:

Zechariah 9:9 NRSV

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

It is a bit of a protest march - the donkey is a prop - designed to let people know that they are thinking about Zechariah 9:9 - they are claiming that Jesus - on the donkey is a coming King.

Effectively asking Jerusalem - the temple - the priests - will you recognise your King? Or will you stick with caesar and his appointees.

First Light in Jericho

I’m guessing the first light of dawn in Jericho on that Palm Sunday was a bit noisy.

Smoke from fires to bake some bread for breakfast.

Animals for luggage being loaded and herded.

The disciples and Jesus - eager to get on their way.

Then:

Shout:

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47)

Mark 10:48 NRSV

48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The temple won’t see him - but Bartimaeus cries out in desperation.

He cries out - even though the crowds tell him to shut up - this is not the time you beggar. You’re not important enough.

Mark 10:49 NRSV

49 Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.”

Here is the surprising bit - the blind man doesn’t just cry out to Jesus but - as Jesus stands still (ready to be found by the sound of his voice) - Blind Bartimaeus is able - without help - to find him:

Mark 10:50 NRSV

50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.

And Jesus heals him.

The story ends with 52:

Mark 10:52 NRSV

52 Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

He can see because he knows he can’t!

Thats the problem at the temple - the temple folks can see so much - and think they know so much that they’re not really looking for the Messiah any more.

Bartimaeus is desperate. He can’t see. He needs help. He recognizes his need. He cries out humbly:

“Have mercy on me!”

In contrast - on arriving in the temple - Mark 11:11 says:

Mark 11:11 (NRSV)

11 …and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

What should have happened?

On Palm Sunday - when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem he should have been recognised as Messiah and anointed to the throne.

This would obviously not happen.

But it did happen in the heart of Blind Bartimaeus on that same day - in shouting out:

Jesus, Son of David! - he was declaring what the temple should have declared - that Jesus was the rightful heir to David’s throne.

By choosing to follow Jesus from the moment of his healing - he was not just confessing Jesus’ Lordship - but living that Lordship.

Redemption

This week in our lives - this Holy Week - is a chance for us to be a bit more like Bartimaeus.

1 - Acknowledge our Blindness

Matthew 5:6 NRSV

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Each of us has our own struggles - our own forms of blindness. Not just the things we don’t see - but the parts of our lives that need healing.

Maybe we are spiritually blind - lacking in ability to see God at work in our lives and the world.

Maybe we’re just in need of more of God’s presence in our lives.

A deeper awareness of God’s love. God’s call.

2 - Confess Jesus as Lord

For Bartimaeus his confession of Jesus’ identity was ‘Jesus, son of David.’ - perhaps we have a clearer view from this side of the resurrection:

Jesus, Son of God.

Lord Jesus Christ.

A realisation of who Jesus really is - not only God of all of this power and majesty - but at the same time merciful.

On his way to Jerusalem - in the hustle and bustle of that morning in Jericho - to hear a voice crying out:

3 - Have Mercy on Me!

And that is the third part - knowing he is merciful we call out to him to have mercy.

Not asking for what we think we deserve.

Not claiming something from God because we think we are worthy.

But crying out ‘Have mercy’ because we need help - we are struggling - we need saving.

Hosanna!

The Palm Sunday cry is a cry of praise - and it is a cry for help.

Psalm 118:25 NRSV

25 Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!

It is a part of Psalm 118 - a Psalm to be prayed on the way to the temple. Pressing closer - drawing to God for help and salvation. Hoping to meet God to have your prayers answered.

Calling out - protesting and seeking.

So lets join Bartimaeus:

Jesus, Son of David, Have Mercy on Me!

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