Reflection: Hosanna to the King of ... Me? (March 24, 2013)

Palm Sunday
Zechariah 9:9-12; Philippians 2:5-11; John 12:12-19

When young children discover that they are independent beings they begin to explore the boundaries of separation from their parents and others. This exploration leads them to resisting the authority of mom, dad, siblings, caregivers, etc. Among toddlers, that rebellion is expressed as something like, “You’re not the boss of me.” While such a statement may be cute the first time or two that it’s spoken, a child who insists that mom, dad, or anyone else in authority isn't “the boss of me” is heading for either a rude awakening or big trouble — or both.

Most people outgrow the attitude underlying “you’re not the boss of me.” Statements like “I don’t need organized religion to love God” and “I’m spiritual, not religious” are pious sounding, chic ways of saying “you’re not the boss of me” to God. It’s easy for us to see such arrogant rebellion against God’s authority in other people, but how clearly do we see our own versions of telling God that He can’t tell us what to do or control our lives? What words do we speak to inform Him that we object to the way that He is working in our circumstances? How are we heading toward a rude awakening or big trouble—or both?

When the crowds welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem shouting “Hosanna to the King of Israel!” they were acknowledging Him as their Messiah King. But when He called them to follow Him into a victory that was radically different than their expectations and desires, their Hosannas abruptly shifted to shouts of “Crucify Him!” and “We have no king but Caesar.” They were telling Jesus, “You’re not the King of me!”

As we journey with Jesus to the Cross of Calvary in joyful expectation of celebrating His empty tomb, we should pause today and consider our shouts of “Hosanna!” We welcome our King with our words, but have we made room for Him in our lives? What other kings are we following? To what other kingdoms are we allegiant? How have we set ourselves up as kings in our own little kingdoms and defiantly lived our lives as statements of “You’re not the King of me?” In place of palms and garments, let’s take everything that hinders the lordship of Jesus in our lives and lay it at His feet to welcome Him with heartfelt shouts of “Hosanna to the King of me!”

Audio file of the sermon "Hosanna to the King of ... Me?"