Tale of the Old Farmer

Josh video

Josh: Opening Doors & Hearts Josh didn’t just stand up to bullies, he changed the environment so that “bullying” wasn’t an issue Sometimes we focus on changing behavior rather than transforming environments

Jesus Jesus didn’t just come to make us more “good”…he came to flip the world system over

Easter The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b] “Blessed is the king of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: 15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” 16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him. John 12:12-19

A Lesson in Humility? Usually we learn this in Sunday school as a character lesson in humility

What Jesus was really doing… Jesus was beginning the final leg of his earthly mission, which would culminate with his crucifixion and resurrection, of shaming and embarrassing the systems of this world. All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets. Colossians 2:15

Although Christ’s final victory came with his crucifixion & resurrection…I think the Devil knew when he saw Jesus ride into town on a donkey that it was “Game Over”!

Power Throughout history empires have shaped history and felt the right to rule nations through power! Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Spanish, British, Russian, American, Chinese, Indians, Japanese

they rise, they rule, they decline, and they fade. In Revelation 5 John weeps because no one seems able to break this never ending cycle of empire and violence I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll (break the cycle) and its seven seals.” Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, Revelation 5: 4-6

Jesus riding on a donkey into Jerusalem was not just a Sunday School lesson in humility. No… Jesus was putting the “way it’s always been done” power and violence mentality on notice that there was a new sheriff in town and all the rules were about to change

See, if Jesus had come riding a stallion and leading an army, the “powers of this world” would have been quite content. It’s what they know and understand; power reinforced through violence! If Jesus wants to be King for a while he can; he can be just another beast who comes up out of the sea to make war on the Earth and cause John to weep. But instead he comes riding on a donkey to adoring crowds who shout his praise.

Jesus transforms the environment not with an army but as a sacrifice not with power but with compassion not on a victory war horse but on a mule the cycle is (and is being) broken! Jesus riding a mule wasn’t just humility…he was mocking “the system”

Creating a Space For Change “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5:

Love for Enemies “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor i and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. i

So as Easter approaches and you begin to see images of Jesus riding a humble donkey remember, this isn’t a nice Sunday School lesson, this was the moment when everything changed!