Jeremiah 23:1-6
Colossians 1:11-20
Luke 19:29-38
Psalm 46
She was born July 1, 1961, at Park House, the home her parents rented on the Royal Family's estate at Sandringham. When she was six years old, her mother left her father. Her parents divorced in 1969 and her father received custody of the children. In 1975 her father became the 8th Earl Spencer, making his daughter a Lady.
She attended private boarding schools and was not a particularly good student. She did excel at sports and won trophies for her swimming. After she graduated in 1978 from the University, she worked as a nanny, waitress and cleaning woman before becoming a teacher at the Young England Kindergarten.
By now, you know I'm talking about Princess Diana, Princess of Wales.
Her romance with Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, began in 1980. Charles was 12 years older than Diana and had previously dated her sister Sarah. Almost from the start, the press became obsessed with "Lady Di." They staked out her apartment and followed her everywhere. Diana later said that she found the constant attention unbearable.
Their engagement was symbolized in an 18 carat sapphire ring surrounded by diamonds. The heir to Britain's ancient throne and his beautiful princess-to-be obliged admirers by holding a "storybook" wedding with all the royal trappings imaginable.
Diana, 20, and Charles, 32, were married on July 29, 1981 at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. The wedding was broadcast in 74 countries and watched by 750 million people worldwide. Diana was the first English woman to marry an heir to England's throne in over 300 years. The public soaked up all the pomp and circumstance of the royal family out in force and looking its best.
What a contrast all this triumphant and ceremonial pageantry is to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem? No matter what you think of the British royal monarchy or monarchies in general, Jesus' trappings or symbols of authority are certainly lacking from a worldly viewpoint.
It seems Jesus made elaborate arrangements to make sure a donkey was available simply to ride into Jerusalem in some sort of symbolic entry. The disciples also were part of the symbolism. They laid their cloaks on the donkey and Jesus mounted it. The ordinary people sensed there was something important going on as well as they sensed Jesus' uniqueness. They too laid their cloaks down on the road.
It's difficult to see why they were so excited. For a King, that is, a prince, a high official or a member of the royal court, would never have ridden on a donkey. A donkey is a figure of ridicule and fun in the animal world. Among us humans, calling someone a "donkey" or "stupid jack ass" is not very complimentary. So maybe Jesus was making some sort of statement. Perhaps a statement about being one of the people not afraid to do foolish things for God. And Jesus was very different - different enough to make a calculated entry into the city, an entry designed to announce his arrival to the world. It certainly wasn't like a royal processional into St. Paul's Cathedral!
In the culture of Jesus' time, it meant that he came in peace, not as a conqueror. He also comes to offer himself as a sacrifice. In his death on the cross, we realize the authority that creates his kingship. His authority is sacrificial love. "Crown him the son of Man who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast and takes and bears them for his own, that all in him may rest."
His authority is not political! His authority is not Military! His authority is not financial. Jesus didn't come to entertain us. On the other hand, his Kingship provides real joy for those who believe in him.
The people seem to have gotten caught up in the general excitement of Jesus' entry. They probably didn't understand all the symbolism at the time but they knew enough to recognize in the symbolism of the silly donkey that an unusual statement was being made.
For us today, November 25, 2001, the real issue is understanding Jesus as Our Lord, Savior and King. Maybe some of you know the hymn "You have a Friend In Jesus." It may seem simplistic but Jesus loves us and his Kingship rests in the authority of total, sacrificial, all encompassing and never ending love. It is the complete love of God!! Jesus won't let us down, he won't disappoint us and he'll love us unconditionally.
"Crown Him the Lord of Heaven enthroned in worlds above; crown him the King to whom is given the wondrous name of Love. Crown him with many crowns, as thrones before him fall, crown him, ye Kings, with many crowns, for he is King of all."
Unfortunately, Princess Diana's marriage did not last and an accident resulted in her untimely death. Jesus' Kingdom however will last forever. It seems too as if Diana didn't know Charles as well as she thought. And how do we get to know Christ as our King and Savior? One way is through the sacrament of Holy Communion.
Ask Jesus today to enter your heart and thank him at communion for being your Lord and Savior. After all, he is the King of all that is and will be. His authority is love!!
In the words of a well known Eucharistic hymn, "I am the resurrection, I am the life. They who believe in me even if they die, they shall live forever. And I will raise them up, and I will raise them up on the last day."
So the story doesn't end with the crucifixion but the resurrection. Our King is a redeemer, a servant and a reconciler! Don't you think we need to join with the disciples in praising God by saying and telling others outside our walls "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!!"?
Happy Feast of Christ OUR King! AMEN!