Holy Week and the Humble King

In last Sunday’s sermon I mentioned that during World War II, as war was spreading across Europe and into England, the BBC in London broadcast a series of radio dramas on the life of Jesus. They commissioned the acclaimed novelist Dorothy Sayers to write a series of twelve dramas that would bring to life the story of Jesus to the modern listening audience. The series of plays was entitled The Man Born to be King. The plays were a huge success. It was reported that C.S. Lewis, who was a friend of Dorothy Sayers, was so moved by the plays that he read them every year during Holy Week. Last year I took part in a reading group that read through the twelve plays, and it was a great blessing. 

Sayers’ 8th play is about the events of Palm Sunday. And Sayers decided to present the story as a tale of “two triumphal entries,” two parades into Jerusalem. First, there’s Jesus, riding into the city on a donkey, like the gospels present. But the second parade was the entry of Pontius Pilate, the highest ranking Roman leader stationed in that region, governing on behalf of the Roman empire. (To be clear, Pilate’s entry into Jerusalem is not mentioned in the scriptures, but Sayers created this scene in ways that were resonant with--and faithful to--the other scriptures of Holy Week.) And in Sayers’ version, both Jesus and Pilate ride into Jerusalem at the same time. Jesus’ procession causes a traffic jam, which causes Pilate’s entourage to have to stop and wait. 

Pilate abruptly asks why his carriage has stopped. One of his men says that there’s a “fellow on a donkey and a rabble of peasants.” Pilate immediately demands that the crowds around Jesus be flogged away. But Pilate's wife, who is riding in the carriage next to him, asks instead to watch the procession around Jesus. So they pull up and witness Jesus and his crowds go by. Afterward, Pilate says, “Not a very distinguished following, I must say.” 

This creative retelling of the Palm Sunday story highlights what the gospels themselves help us to see, that Jesus comes to reign and rule in a way that is completely different to how the rulers of this world come to reign and rule. As we come toHoly Week, we are once again confronted by the difference Jesus makes. As we walk through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, we are offered the opportunity to rediscover Jesus in new ways, and to let his grace rule our lives.

May we allow the difference Jesus makes to fill us with hope as we walk these final days of Lent and enter into the joy of Easter. May God bless you and keep you.