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The end approaches
Jesus enters Jerusalem and prepares for the end of his earthly ministry (Mark 11:1-11; Mark 14:32-42)
Context
- As churches mark the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry this Holy Week, others are preparing for endings. Our newspapers are full of speculation as we approach (it seems) the end of 14 years of Conservative government. Will they tumble to the heavy defeat which the opinion polls currently imply? Will the Prime Minister survive to the general election, let alone beyond?
- Meanwhile, the Olympian Dame Laura Kenny announces her retirement from competitive cycling in her early thirties – the age Jesus was, we believe, at his death. The end of a successful sporting career is certainly not to be compared with a cruel death, but what might it have been like to reach such a decision? The headline in the linked video page puts me in mind of Mark 1:15 since one translation of Jesus’ words is ‘now is the time’.
- This Holy Week begins with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem to cheering crowds. If we ignore the story of the rest of the week it might seem to end with the appearance of the risen Christ which we mark next Sunday morning. But between those two events comes the story in the lectionary Gospel for this Sunday which Roots omits - Mark 14:1–15:47. In some places that lesson will be read, perhaps dramatically, perhaps in sections.
Ideas for sermons or interactive talks
- What are the implications for us of the way Jesus prepares for what he plainly knew was the end of his earthly ministry? The week begins with a donkey and cheering crowds and palm branches. But then on Thursday evening there is the betrayal and after the Last Supper, Jesus takes three of his disciples with him to the garden; but the three sleep while Jesus prays that he might be spared yet ‘not what I want, but what you want’ (Mark 14:36). Later, Peter three times claims not to know Jesus (Mark 14:66-72). Have we ever betrayed someone even in minor ways? In a similar situation might we have betrayed? How many of us can sincerely pray a prayer like the one Jesus prayed in the garden? And might we have been in the crowd which followed the lead of their religious leaders and shouted for his death?
- How do we prepare for an ending? Stanley Hauerwas, an American theologian and ethicist, has written a book called Approaching the End (SCM, 2014). He calls the title ambiguous. In it he argues, among much else, that ‘the Christian alternative to war is Eucharist’ (p.136), a profound thought as we mark on Thursday the institution of the Eucharist. An equally profound thought from the same book is this: ‘the challenge of Christian unity will depend on how Christians discover how they need one another if they are adequately to learn to live in a world that Christians created but no longer control’ (p.119). I shall certainly ponder that thought as I join other Christians in my town as we witness by walking together on the morning of Good Friday.
- How do we each prepare for endings? Endings of relationships? Endings of jobs? Children moving from home as they become independent? Would crowds cheering ever be part of such preparations? I have had recent experience of the closure of the church where I had been a member for 10 years; the final services were moving but, at least to my mind, satisfying perhaps because well prepared.
- In this most profound week in the Christian calendar, if you do not read the full passion narrative in church, at least encourage congregations to read it at least once at home (from any of the Gospels) this week. Or even read the whole of one of the Gospels - Mark can be read by most people in a couple of hours.
Questions for discussion
- Would you have been in the crowd which cheered on the Sunday, or the crowd which called for crucifixion later in the week, or both?
- Have you ever made preparations for an ending? What did you do? How did it turn out?
Dudley Coates is a local preacher in the Yeovil and Blackmore Vale Methodist Circuit and a former Vice President of the Methodist Conference.
Check-in
Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people
Being a leader puts you under a lot of scrutiny and observation. Everything you say and do is in the spotlight, and even the smallest statement can speak volumes. The royal family have experienced this scrutiny throughout history and, over the past few weeks, this has been very much in evidence. King Charles’ health, Prince Harry being back in the country, and the Princess of Wales’ Mother’s Day photo have been the cause of much speculation over TikTok, in the tabloids and on our TVs.
‘All eyes on you’ comes with leadership roles, and certainly this can be seen even back in Jesus’ day. A political hotbed in every direction, all leaders were observed. How a leader presented themselves was important - it was the biggest signifier of who they were and what they represented.
On Palm Sunday we see King Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey, not a grand horse with a huge procession; just a simple, lowly donkey. This surprising set-up shows that Jesus is not a king of war, but one of peace; he is not a king for a select few, but the King for all people. The people who witnessed this statement responded with one of their own - they placed down their cloaks and palm leaves. This week, what statement can you make to help Jesus ‘stand out’ and be noticed by those around you?
Lindsay Wright is a freelance writer and designer based in Lancashire.
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