Love Is Patient

OT Lesson: Zechariah 9:9-10 (NLT)

Rejoice, O people of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!
Look, your King is coming to you.
He is righteous and victorious,
Yet He is humble, riding on a donkey—
riding on a donkey’s colt.
I will remove the battle chariots from Israel
and the warhorses from Jerusalem.
I will destroy all the weapons used in battle,
and your king will bring peace to the nations.
His realm will stretch from sea to sea
and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.

NT Lesson: John 12:12-16 (NRSV)

The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,

‘Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—
the King of Israel!’

Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written:

‘Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion.
Look, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey’s colt!’

His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of Him and had been done to Him.

Sermon

Introduction

Good morning. I’d like to share a bit more information about our visiting team initiative. If you sign up for a week, it does not mean you will be visiting people every day of the week. You will choose one day that week, and we will aim to visit a maximum of four or five people, allowing us to reach all our home bound members and friends each month. We will also be bringing Communion, should they wish or need it. In essence, if they cannot come to the church, the church will go to them.

Now, I need to correct a detail in our announcements. The Son-Rise worship service will start at 8 AM, not 7:30 AM, giving you an extra half hour of sleep on that happy day. Speaking of happy days, I read a piece of news that the Indiana governor has signed the Happy Hour bill into law. So, perhaps we could create our own Happy Hour T-Shirts. Imagine this: on the front, they’d say ‘Join us for Happy Hour,’ and on the back, ‘Sunday at 10:30 AM at First Presbyterian Church.’ By the way, in case the weather is not good, the Son-Rise Service will be inside to keep you warm and cozy.

As we enter Holy Week, please don’t forget about our Maundy Thursday dinner at 6 PM this coming Thursday, followed by the Good Friday service at 7 PM the next day. We have purchased a party boom box from Costco, which we will use for both the Maundy Thursday dinner in the fellowship hall and the Son-Rise Service in the courtyard. And on any other days after that, you may have your own Karaoke sessions. You are always more than welcome to come and sing.

The World Capitals

Today is Palm Sunday, a day when we commemorate the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Jerusalem was not just the heart of Israel; it was its capital in every conceivable way—economically, religiously, politically, socially, culturally, and educationally. Essentially, Jerusalem represented the central core of Israel across all aspects.

Just as Jerusalem holds a pivotal place in the biblical narrative, various cities around the world are recognised as capitals in their own right, each known for a unique attribute. Washington D.C. stands as the political capital of America, while New York City pulsates as its financial capital. Nashville, TN strums the chords as the music capital, and Los Angeles, CA takes centre stage as the entertainment capital. Silicon Valley buzzes as the tech capital, and Napa Valley is savoured as the wine capital. Chicago, once tagged as the crime capital, has hopefully shed that title for good.

But beyond these well-known capitals, there are others with claims to fame that might surprise you. Bedford, IN, for instance, positions itself as the world capital of limestone—a claim that is far from hollow. Iconic structures like the Empire State Building, along with thirty-five of the fifty state capitols in America, are constructed from limestone quarried in Bedford. Mitchell, IN, meanwhile, delights in being known as the world capital of persimmon. They have annual persimmon festival for almost eighty years where you cannot see any persimmon during the festival. It is self-claimed by the way.

There are also capitals with more humorous or unique distinctions. Bunnell, FL is celebrated as the Potato capital (also self-claimed), Mitchell, SD as the Corn capital with the Corn Palace, and Hershey, PA as the Chocolate capital. Perhaps the most amusing is Komarno, MB, dubbed the world capital of mosquitoes. This town not only boasts a massive mosquito statue but its name in Ukrainian translates amusingly to ‘Mosquito Infest.’ For those fascinated by nature’s marvels, Armstrong, MB holds the title as the world capital of snakes, where nearly a hundred thousand snakes gather in a single den for winter, emerging in spring to blanket the roads and countryside.

If you are intrigued by these capitals, each with their unique character and claim to fame, imagine the rich tapestry of stories and symbols Jerusalem held—and still holds—as the backdrop for Jesus’ entry, heralded by palms and shouts of Hosanna. This Palm Sunday, let us remember the significance of place in our faith and the unique roles different locations play in the broader narrative of our beliefs and traditions.

Not All Figs Are the Same

Before the procession on Palm Sunday, Jesus made stops at two towns, Bethany and Bethphage, both names translating to “the house of figs.” This naming echoes how language often evolves to capture the essence of a people’s daily life and surroundings. For instance, Eskimos, or Inuits, have about fifty words for snow, a necessity in their snow-laden world to describe its varying textures, quantities, stages, and conditions. Similarly, in Korean, rice is referred to as Ssal (쌀) and Bob (밥) depending on its state, though in English, both are simply known as rice.

The Hebrew language showcases a similar nuance with two words for figs, reflecting their significance in the local culture. Both Bethany and Bethphage begins with “Beit,” meaning house, which is a common prefix in Hebrew, as seen in Bethel (“the house of God”) and Bethlehem (“the house of bread”). Not coincidentally, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the “house of bread,” symbolising Him as the bread from heaven offering eternal life—akin to bread being made in a bakery.

Focusing on the figs, “tee-na” (תְּאֵנָה) is the Hebrew word for fig, combined with “beit” (בֵּית) to form Bethany. “Fa-ghe” (פַּגִּי) also means fig in Hebrew, which with “beit” becomes Bethphage. Contrary to some Hebrew dictionaries that suggest “tee-na” refers to ripe figs and “fa-ghe” to unripe ones, the distinction is not about ripeness but rather the type of fruit. Israeli fig trees bear fruit twice a year: a smaller, less sweet fruit in the spring around March and April (fa-ghe) and a much larger, sweeter fruit in the fall around September and October (tee-na). The latter is so substantial that consuming just a few can suffice as a meal, from personal experience.

Many of you probably have heard the word hangry which is being angry because of hunger. And the first record of hangry in human history is, I believe, in the Bible. The distinction between these two types of figs sheds light on a biblical moment often misconstrued—Jesus’ hunger and His encounter with a fig tree. The scripture puzzles many which says ‘Jesus went over to the fig tree to see if he could find any figs because it was not the season of figs.’ However, understanding the Hebrew terms clarifies the situation as it reads that ‘Jesus went over to the fig tree to see if he could find any fa-ghe, the small spring figs, because it was not the season of tee-na, the big and sweet autumn figs.’ This nuanced understanding not only enriches the biblical narrative but also illustrates the profound connection between language, culture, and the natural world in the biblical context. And this is exactly why you may want to come to the Saturday Bible Study.

Palm Sunday Fever

Anyway, Jesus was making His way into Jerusalem, the capital city, greeted by an overwhelming sense of excitement among the populace. Despite His humble appearance, not resembling a grand, triumphant conqueror, the fervour and enthusiasm of the crowd surpassed even that of a Roman Triumph. Out of respect and honour, people spread their cloaks and garments on the muddy road for the donkey carrying Jesus to walk over. They waved palm branches in adoration of Christ, their shouts echoing as if proclaiming, “Jesus to the White House!” Their zeal, akin to that of fervent supporters during an election season, was palpable, with thousands caught up in what could be described as “Jesus fever,” ready to follow Him to the end.

However, as the week progressed towards Friday morning, with the Sabbath set to begin that evening, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. This was no ordinary weekend but the commencement of the most significant festival and holiest day of the year. Amidst the busiest time, with preparations for the largest family gatherings underway and stores like Walmart, Kroger, and Aldi closing for the week, the crowd’s mood had changed. Where once the air was charged with warmth and enthusiasm, it now felt chillingly cold. The same voices that had shouted “Jesus to the White House” were now chanting “Lock Him up,” actually it was worse that they were shouting to crucify Him. The once-celebratory crowd had turned hostile.

The question of whether the crowds on Palm Sunday and Good Friday consisted of the same individuals is a matter of scholarly debate. Some argue that it was indeed the same group, whose political allegiance shifted dramatically. Others contend that these were distinct groups; the original supporters, mainly the poor, were preoccupied with preparations for the holiday and thus unable to come out, leaving the scene to a different demographic. This latter group, possibly more affluent and not burdened by the same preparations and daily labours, may have been more aligned with the existing powers of the Sadducees and Pharisees. And some of those mobs were possibly hired.

Regardless of the composition of these crowds, Jesus found Himself without the widespread support that had been so visible days earlier. On what can be metaphorically referred to as “election day,” many of His would-be supporters were shy and absent, caught up in their preparations. In those times, political defeat often equated to death, and without a fair trial, Jesus was executed. This dramatic shift from acclamation to rejection serves as a poignant reflection on the volatility of human support and the profound solitude of Jesus’ journey towards crucifixion.

Remain to the End

Even as the tide of public opinion turned dramatically against Jesus. Even most of His own disciples and followers abandoned Him and ran away. But not everyone deserted Him. Among His followers, there were those whose faith and loyalty never wavered, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. Notably, the disciple John, referred to as the beloved disciple, stood by Jesus until the end. Alongside him was Mary, Jesus’ mother, embodying maternal love and steadfastness. Mary Magdalene and other devoted women also remained close. Their presence is a testament to their unyielding support and faith. Joseph of Arimathea, too, demonstrated courage and loyalty by providing a burial place for Jesus, risking his social status and even his own life.

These individuals exemplify the kind of unwavering support and faithfulness that withstands even the most challenging circumstances. Their actions remind us that, while many may falter and abandon their commitments when situations become unfavourable, there are always those who remain faithful. It is not uncommon for people to be swayed by the prospect of material gain or personal benefit, leading them to betray others. However, the steadfastness of Jesus’ loyal followers highlights a critical message: God desires from us a faith that does not waver, a loyalty that does not falter, and a love that endures through every trial.

This narrative invites reflection on the nature of faith and loyalty. It challenges us to consider how we might respond in situations that test our commitment and integrity. The example set by these faithful few serves as an enduring call to embody the kind of devotion that God seeks from each of us—a devotion marked not by convenience or self-interest but by genuine love and unwavering faithfulness.

Love Is Patient

If we truly love God, our call is to remain faithful to Him, patiently enduring until the end. I have often considered the Lenten journey of Jesus to be somewhat akin to the experience of a pregnant woman. Admittedly, as a man, my understanding of pregnancy and childbirth is limited, and thus my analogy may not capture the full extent of the experience. Nonetheless, during the nine months of pregnancy, an expecting mother endures a great deal of inconvenience and discomfort. She faces nausea, increased difficulty with walking and driving as her belly grows, more frequent trips to the bathroom, the inability to sleep on her belly, and they cannot drink wine when they need it the most. Labour and delivery bring intense, potentially overwhelming pain. Yet, a mother willingly accepts these trials out of love for her child.

In a similar vein, Jesus faced numerous trials and inconveniences throughout His Lenten journey. Holy Week being the climax of the journey, then, can be likened to the labour and delivery phase—not merely the excruciating pain experienced by a mother, but the acceptance of death itself. Jesus bore all of this out of His boundless love for us.

Raising a child is undoubtedly challenging, filled with countless difficulties and moments of frustration. Despite this, parents endure and remain patient out of love for their children. Not many parents abandon their children just because they are frustrating. Did you? This endurance and patience has been the experience of my parents, your parents, and likely many of you as well towards your children. Paul the Apostle insightfully noted in his first letter to the Corinthians that love is patient.1 Parents have patience because they love their children. This patience is not a passive waiting but an active, steadfast endurance that comes from a deep well of love.

Paul further emphasises in his letter to the Romans that, “Though the number of Israel’s children will be like the sand of the sea, only a remaining part will be saved.”2 This notion of salvation being reserved for those who endure aligns with Jesus’ own teachings that those “who endures to the end will be saved.”3

The journey of faith, much like the journey of pregnancy and parenthood, requires patience, endurance, and an unwavering commitment born of love. As followers of Christ, we are called to remain faithful and patient through all trials and tribulations, holding fast to our love for God and the promise of salvation. For it is through this steadfast love and enduring faith that we, like the remnant Paul speaks of, may find our salvation.

Conclusion 

A mother can usher in new life only by enduring through her pregnancy out of her profound love for her child. Similarly, Jesus Christ, driven by His boundless love for us, remained steadfast and endured the agony of the cross to death, thereby granting us the hope of eternal life. The prophet Jeremiah proclaimed the enduring nature of the Lord’s love, asserting that it never ceases. This is because true love is inherently steadfast and patient.

The book of Hebrews affirms, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”4 This constancy is a reflection of love’s true nature; love that is unchanging and enduring, and Jesus Christ embodies this divine love. As followers of our Saviour, whose steadfast love endures forever, we are called to embody this same patience and love in our relationships with family, friends, and neighbours, doing so in the name of our loving Saviour.

Let us, therefore, embrace the journey of faith with patience and love, drawing inspiration from the unwavering love of Jesus Christ. Let His example guide us in lovingly supporting one another, bearing our trials with patience, and remaining faithful to the end. In doing so, we not only honour the legacy of Christ’s love but also contribute to a world that reflects His enduring love and grace. Amen.