No Kings

As I worked on my sign for the No Kings demonstration today, I felt a new connection to the crowds welcoming Jesus to Jerusalem on what we know as Palm Sunday.*

In his day, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a colt with no armed escort to signify the peaceful inclusive reign of God as opposed to the heavily armed Roman troops entering the city on the opposite side of the city, there to intimidate and enforce order during Passover. Jesus embodied an alternative way of life from the political and theological stance of Roman rule. He had sent his disciples ahead for the colt. It was a pre-planned demonstration, something I had missed before.

Today, millions of Americans will be clustered in public squares, marching in streets or standing along highways, waving signs and greeting one another in common purpose, opposing the armed and often unconstitutional expansion of power by our president. This is the first time I saw the connection between Palm Sunday and No Kings.

We in the church know the rest of the Holy Week story and it’s not about Easter eggs and new shoes. Holy week includes confronting the moneychangers at the Temple, a last supper with his disciples, betrayal and public crucifixion as well as next week’s discovery of the empty tomb.

It will be hard to hold onto the hope of Easter morning, but today, whether we demonstrate out of a sense of call or not, we are bearing witness to that other way. May God protect us all.