Same Story

 Preparing for Easter

 Isn't it funny how we have differing accounts of the same events in our scriptures?

I've heard the arguments about the validity of scripture and whether or not to beleve what we have writen here because the accounts don't line up. Or, do they? Or, is it simply that we have someone else's viewpoint? It is simply what they remember about the events. It could happen at your Easter meal with family all gathered around in the next week or so. What if Uncle or Aunt so and so blab off about this or that? What if an argument breaks out over some simple statement that gets made? Maybe, more importantly, what did everyone around the table or the event area remember about what happened? That is truly what is at the center of something as large as Jesus entering the Holy City on a day like what we have recorded here. 

We are looking at scripture from the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and John this morning. And, yes all three have different items they will call out as important to what they recall and remember of the event. Lets just get right into it as there is a good amount of scripture to read. 

Celebration. At it's finest.

That is truly all we see here in Matthew's account. This disciple's account presents Jesus in a larger than life role. He enters the city and everyone cheers. No one seems to oppose him. Some question who he is, but no one seems to have a problem with his entry. Chapter 21 puts Jesus in a place of dominance. He teaches and people listen. He speaks and those around him are at attention. His authority is questioned later in the chapter and by Matthew's account Jesus handles it poignantly and with wisdom. It really is a time to rejoin. The King is here. Jesus would go on to teach for the next few chapters before we draw close to the cross and the final blows. It is those teachings through chapter 22, 23 and later that seem to turn on Jesus as he calls out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and religious leaders. By the time we hear our Lord calling them "snakes" and "a brood of vipers" then it starts to turn ugly. We might be tempted to believe that Matthew was viewing the moment with blinders on. As if Jesus was clear of trial and tribulation when he entered Jerusalem that day. That is, if we forget all that Matthew has already shared throughout his account of the conflicts our Savior has already had. No, it seems that Matthew simply wants to entry that day to be clear and free of the trouble. Maybe he wasn't right next to Jesus when they were entering. He recalls what he knows and what he has heard. Let it speak for itself. 

It is an account like Luke's that is a wonder. In that, he gets most of his information second hand. As a Greek, an outsider, and as a doctor, if accounts are correct, it is said he gets most of his information from Peter and others. Luke is collecting accounts of what happened after they went by. Jesus would have gone back to be with the Father around 33 A.D. and Luke is writing in the 50's A.D. When I have the opportunity to enter a church and hear from others about what they remember of the history in a congregation, it is always fun to take in all those memories and listen to what others find important. Just a couple weeks ago we were sitting with friends on a Friday night as we ate and then played some board games. The couple we were with recall previous events in their lives and its really no surprise that they both remembered details differently. What must Luke have heard and found importantly to take note on as he hears of Jesus' visit to the holy city that day? Lets read. 

Ah, there they are. The Pharisees were present. Unlike Matthew's account where they seem to be missing, there are people sharing their accounts with Luke and those people seem to recall the troublesome leaders being right in the thick of it. There also seems to be story surrounding the colt that Jesus would ride into town that day upon. Stories can go way back. A minor Old Testament prophet named Zechariah gets to contribute a major point in the telling of the entry into Jerusalem this day. It is a picture that many who know their scriptures have been waiting to see. This King of King and Lord of Lords would not ride in mightily and drive out anybody or anything. He would ride in on a young donkey. A cumbersome, uncomfortable ride with legs dragging on the ground. In both account, people praise Him. They call Him "King". They lift their praise and make the path ready for Him. Jesus will come again someday. Are we making the way ready for Him?

Still, there is more to take in. We've seen Matthew's account. Words that an Jewish believer in the Messiah who understand the Old Testament prophesies would be drawn into deeper and with conviction. We have read Luke's account. Words and events that an outsider to the Hebrew faith would find interesting. Luke was a Gentile, a person not so easily attached to the faith these fishermen and tax collectors have come to know. There is one more account. And, it comes from a disciple who sat next to Jesus and rest his head on the Savior's shoulder that night in the Upper Room. He is referred to "the disciple whom Jesus loved". So, naturally, we should expect some different insight and inspiration drawn from that day the Messiah would enter the Holy City. 

It should be easy to understand by now. Everybody was in their own little world. Matthew had much to write and prepare. His mind is seeing the whole moment from that historical, Jewish view. Luke's audience is seeing what an outsider to the faith might feel and understand. There is no mention in John's account of how the donkey got there. He does tie in the OT reference from Zechariah very nicely and properly. Those two disciples who went and got the donkey were off on their own quest. John was usually pretty close to Jesus and records that the Messiah just found this donkey and rode it. He also ties the whole moment to the resurrection of their friend Lazarus, maybe, since he writing his Gospel account so much later than the others and can see back in time on the events, knowing that his Lord will head to his own grave and his own resurrection. 

So... maybe by now you're saying, "What's the point?" 
"Why bother looking at and reading all these references and pieces of scripture?"
"Why not?" I would say. My point is that none of them have to tell the same story. 
We can get ourselves bent our of shape over the differing details or we can accept that each person was in their own place and giving the account from their own vantage. And, that's ok. What do they all have in common. They were all there. They all witnessed it. When we started our Lenten season together this year, I began reading to you from Genesis and John with familiar words about the beginning. There is one other memorable place that helps being all these Palm Sunday accounts together. Even though they all saw and remembered different moments and words, they all witnessed the glory of the Son of God. 

Maybe, the point here should be... Do you have a story?
Do you have a story or an account of Jesus Christ coming into your life that you can share with other people? And, you know what? It's probably going to be different than the story of the person across the room or at the church down the street. And, do you know what all those story have in common? They are a Jesus story. A story about how a Savior came striding into your life making all things new. Challenging the false and hideous components of our hearts and souls. Bringing light where there was darkness. Being all that we need. Forgiving where we could not even think about sharing love and compassion. In the end, they all wind up being the same story. 

Blessings

Next week, EASTER