What a day this must have been for Jesus! All the hardships of itinerant living; the rigors of forty days of temptation in the blazing heat of the Sinai; a lifetime of suffering the scorn and social shunning of those who considered him illegitimate; years of enduring the rejection of his calling and teaching by his friends and family… as well as the stinging criticisms by leaders of his religion… all this, and more, now seemingly over in the jubilation of a triumphal parade in to Jerusalem… with shouting crowds lining the streets, waving palm branches and throwing down their cloaks for him to ride over.

Yet, behind the triumph was the ominous probability – known to Jesus and his disciples – that when the fanfare was over, disaster was waiting. Surely, Jesus knew that the higher his public profile, the more of a threat he was to the Roman and religious authorities. It was one thing to attract groups in the country-side (even multitudes on occasion.) It was something else to be the cause of a major demonstration in the capitol.

Thinking about the hundreds of bicyclists who gather to block traffic by what they call "Critical Mass," it would be one thing if they met in Healdsburg, but downtown San Francisco in the rush hour is a "Mass" that definitely becomes more "critical!" … especially if the message of the demonstration threatens to lessen the grip of autocrats – as happened that Palm Sunday in Jerusalem. When demonstrations are viewed as civil or religious disobedience by totalitarian regimes, you might make your point, but you will pay the price. Surely, Jesus knew this as he rode into Jerusalem at the head of a large multitude of boisterous people.

Why did the crowds show up and what were they celebrating? Why do multitudes always gather in response to an empowering word? The answer can be seen in many areas of the world today and many congregations where personal liberation and individual dignity and worth are proclaimed. It is hard for us in comfortable cultures and privileged churches – where we rarely believe that Jesus has saved us from anything - to begin to understand the force and the magnetic attraction of the "Christus Liberator." Jesus, one’s true and only hope. Christ your savior in the future. Christ your savior from all the degradations that destroy and oppress you in the here and now.

The oppressed in that day when Jesus entered Jerusalem - and all those who gathered around him in the villages and countryside – and billions of people ever since who have had their backs to the wall - could not restrain their love and gratitude for God’s Emancipator. And the terrorists embedded in political and religious power, who would subjugate people to their self- serving agendas, still lie in wait to enslave the bodies and minds of the children of God.

That first "Palm Sunday," Jesus acted out the dignity and purpose of the kingdom of God that he said was in us all… and he knew the consequences. How many of us today have even a vague idea of what would happen if we truly lived out the kingdom/ queendom of God that resides deep within us.? How many of us have even considered living up to our full Godly potential? How many of us are willing to give witness to the power and dignity of the liberating Spirit in our souls and the lives of all people who are dedicated to the common good? How many of us are willing to accept the consequences of a Jesus life?

Bishop Jim Pike, in his usual wry and provocative manner, said, "The quality of Christianity in any generation can be measured by the number of Christians in jail." Where do we stand in the struggle for Godly justice and human fulfillment?

As I was moved by the Holy Spirit in the preparation of this sermon, I was convicted by how little I now risk in the living of my Christian faith. Indeed the spirituality based on Jesus that I have fashioned over the years has very few consequences to it now. It didn’t used to be that way. There was a time when I risked a lot in being a Christian. How about you? How mellow has your Christian faith become over time? If we can not count the consequences in the acting out of our Christian faith, we surely can not be living the Jesus life… individually and as a church.

This is the question and the challenge Jesus and his followers had to ask themselves that first Palm Sunday … this is the challenge and question that confronts us this Palm Sunday… and I wonder, how many sermons preached today will consider the personal consequences believers have to accept if they want to process with Jesus. Especially today, Jesus asks us, "how far are you willing to go with me in addressing the despair and the promise of this world. When you show up with palms for the demonstration, how many consequences are you willing to accept?"

Jesus’ gospel does not offer us something for nothing. The Master understood this, and so he knew there was a cross at the end of the Palm Sunday parade. The world is crying for our participation in the Palm Sunday demonstration … our witness to the promise of personal and world liberation through loving care and justice.

But, there is a caution! There are consequences. We can not know resurrection in this life – and possible the life to come - without accepting the necessary risks that go with giving one’s self and substance for others. Easter is for everyone because, as children of God, we all are called to be heirs of the promise of resurrection life. Liberation is at hand for all who want to show up! Trust God… join the parade … and then follow through … because the way of Godly risk leads to Jesus!