In the book of Esther, King Ahasuerus asks his top advisor, Haman, this question: “What should be done for the man whom the king really wants to honor?”
Haman thinks to himself, “Whom would the king really want to honor more than me?” So Haman says to King Ahasuerus:
“Here’s what should be done for the man the king really wants to honor. Have servants bring out a royal robe that the king himself has worn and a horse on which the king himself has ridden. It should have a royal crest on its head. Then hand over the robe and the horse to another man, one of the king’s officials. Have him personally robe the man whom the king really wants to honor and lead him on the horse through the city square. As he goes, have him shout, ‘This is what the king does for the man he really wants to honor!’”
The twist in that story is that King Ahasuerus isn’t thinking of Haman; he’s thinking of Mordecai, Haman’s nemesis. And King Ahasuerus instructs Haman to go and get things ready for this glorious procession to honor Mordecai.
I mention this to show you that the idea of a procession to honor someone has a long history...Kings and rulers throughout history would often organize grand processions to honor people… They did it to honor their military generals, and sometimes, they did it to honor themselves.
The procession honoring Mordecai was quite extravagant, but it was nothing compared to the huge processions organized during the Roman Empire. Unbelievably huge processions were organized in ancient Rome, usually for certain military generals who had overseen a great victory. These processions were called Triumphs.
It went like this: first, the Roman Senate had to confirm that the general was worthy enough to have a Triumph. Not just anyone could be honored with a Triumph!
Then, on the day of the Triumph, the general would gather with many military men, his soldiers and commanders, his whole army, prominently carrying their swords and their spears. Other officials and family members would also be a part of the Triumph procession, and even the general’s slaves.
Enemies that had been captured would also be made to march in the parade. There might be hundreds of them. They marched, all chained together.
When you add everyone up - the soldiers, the family members, the high officials, the slaves, the captured enemies… you realize: that’s a lot of people!
They would all gather before dawn. The general, and other officials, would give speeches. The general would wear a crown of laurel and a gold-embroidered toga that was red or purple, all of which identified him as near-divine. He might even have his face painted red for the occasion. On the day of his Triumph, at least, he was considered practically a god.
After the speeches, the procession would begin.
The general would climb into a ceremonial chariot pulled by four horses - beautiful, noble steeds. The procession would enter the city through a gate that was only used for such occasions.
Then the procession it would make its way through the streets of Rome. The general’s army, his family, his officials, his slaves, his captives, and all the spoils of war - gold and silver, and more gold and silver - would be part of the parade - thousands of people. There would be paintings depicting the battle, carried along with the procession, and there would possibly even be reenactments along the way.
It was HUGE.
Over time, Roman Triumphs grew even more and more elaborate. Eventually they extended over several days! Imagine the logistics of organizing such a celebration! Imagine the cost!
Once inside Rome, the procession would arrive at the temple of Jupiter, where a sacrifice to the gods would be made.
Once all that was over, there would be a big, lavish feast for the general and some select VIPs. No expense would be spared. It would have many courses, with slaves attending to the guests. There would be lots of wine, with the traditional raising of glasses to Caesar.
Additional banquets might also be organized for others who took part in the procession.
Triumphs didn’t happen every day. They were reserved for only the most important, most successful, most victorious commanders. Over time, even commanders found it hard to be awarded a triumph. By the time of Caesar Augustus, only the emperor could have a triumph awarded to him. Caesar wanted the highest honor reserved just for him. After all, he was the king of all kings, the lord of all lords, the Savior of Rome.
And Caesar’s triumphs, when they took place, continued to be incredibly grand processions, expensive things to organize.
Triumphs were etched into the minds of every person living in the Roman Empire. Most never actually saw a triumph, because most never made it to Rome. But images of triumphs appeared on coins and other items that were distributed throughout the empire, and monuments depicting triumphs were commissioned and made throughout the kingdom.
So even if they never actually saw a Triumph in person, Triumphs still made an impression in the minds of every person who lived within the Roman Empire.
Rome knew that Triumphs were great propaganda tools. They were demonstrations of the military superiority of Rome. They screamed out: “Behold the might of Rome! Behold how great is Caesar!” And, implied in that, was another message: “Don’t even think of challenging the Roman Empire. Don’t even think of going against Caesar. The army of Rome is all-powerful. Caesar is all-powerful...
“And he will crush you.”
There were other processions. Not as grand or extravagant as a Triumph, but still quite elaborate. And these other processions didn’t just take place in Rome.
For example: Herod was a ruler who ruled under Caesar. He had his headquarters at a place called Caesarea Phillipi, but he did make occasional visits to Jerusalem; and when he did, he arrived with great pomp and circumstance. He would arrive on a mighty warhorse, surrounded by chariots. As he travelled, the road was lined with soldiers, who raised their spears and swords as he passed by. It wasn’t a Triumph, but it was still a great, grand, glorious procession; one that left a mark in the minds of all who lived under his rule.
All of this is the background to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Jesus knew about Triumphs and other royal processions, and so did everyone else. They knew about all the symbolism involved, and what it meant.
Many believed that Jesus was to be a king like Caesar, one who would take over the throne. So when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, they expected him to make a grand entrance, just like the emperor would, or just like Herod would.
But the kingdom Jesus proclaimed was very different from the kingdom of Rome. Jesus would have a procession, but it would be unlike any procession anyone in the Roman Empire had ever seen before. It would be different, because Jesus knew that you cannot dismantle the Roman system of oppression and hierarchy by using Roman methods. He knew that you cannot dismantle the plantation system with the ways and means of the master.
So when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, he did not arrive on a mighty warhorse; he did not arrive in a chariot pulled by mighty horses. In his procession, Jesus rode a donkey. Not even a fully-grown donkey. Perhaps the most humble creature capable of carrying him.
It was not what people expected for a royal procession. It was the exact opposite of a mighty warhorse.
And in place of an army of soldiers carrying swords and spears, Jesus was accompanied by a crowd of common people: peasants, outcasts, and other lowlifes and misfits, wearing tattered clothing and worn-out sandals … or no sandals at all.
There were no spears or swords; instead, those who marched with him and those who cheered him on carried and waved palm branches. Ha! Palm branches! What kind of weapons are those? How could anyone ever hope to start a revolution, and establish a new kingdom, with palm branches!
It’s all quite absurd.
It’s quite absurd in the kingdom of Rome, but, in God’s kingdom, it is most appropriate. The prophets spoke of turning swords into plowshares, weapons of destruction into tools of production. Jesus led a nonviolent resistance movement, and would soon declare that violence, the way of the sword, was not his way.
So of course, in his procession, there were no weapons, just leafy green palm branches.
It wasn’t a procession demonstrating the glory of Rome; it was a procession demonstrating the glory of God.
It was a fitting procession for the one who came to bring good news to the poor….
It was a fitting procession for the one who said, “blessed are the poor, blessed are the meek, blessed are those who make peace….”
It was a fitting procession for the one who said all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but those who humble themselves will be exalted....
It was a fitting procession for the one who said the first shall be last but the last shall be first….
It was a fitting procession for the one who said that the greatest one among you is the one who serves....
It was a fitting procession for the one who gave extra attention to outcasts: lepers, the lame, the blind, tax collectors, and those possessed by demons.
It was a procession that Rome could never understand. Any Roman officials or soldiers who caught sight of Jesus’ procession must have burst out laughing. I’m sure they did laugh, if the enthusiasm of the cheering crowd didn’t make them too anxious.
And why was the crowd so excited? Because it appeared that all those things Jesus had talked about and modeled as the basis of the new kingdom were now going to happen. Jesus said that the kingdom was at hand, and maybe he was right! Everything about the Kingdom of Rome was being turned upside down, and they could see it happening with their own eyes!
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem took the idea of a triumph and turned it on its head. It mocked all the grand processions of Rome, of Caesar, of Herod.
THIS is who we are called to follow…
Jesus is not the kind of king who glorifies wealth and power.
Jesus is not the kind of king who trusts in weapons and strength for salvation.
Jesus is not the kind of king whose love for himself is greater than his love for the people.
Jesus is someone who humbles himself, who is obedient to his calling from God; he’s someone who seeks the lost, the lonely, the broken and the oppressed. He seeks them in order to save them, in order to heal them, in order to make them whole.
Jesus is someone who comes in peace, not carrying a weapon. He has no intention to hurt or harm, not even his enemies. But rather, he seeks to win all people over through love.
I mentioned that after a Roman Triumph, a grand banquet was held. Well, after his entry into Jerusalem, Jesus also had a banquet. He invited his closest friends, and they ate together.
But his banquet, like his procession, was different. At one point during the meal, Jesus put on the apron of a slave, and started serving his guests. No Roman king had ever done such a thing!
And then, when he broke the bread and raised his glass - instead of invoking the name of Caesar, calling on his guests to remember Caesar and honor Caesar, as was the tradition - Jesus told them: “Remember me. Remember who I am. Remember what I am like. Remember what I have done. Remember what I have said. Remember all I have taught you and all I have shown you.
“I have shown you the way of the kingdom of God. Remember it, and remember me, in the breaking of the bread, and in the drinking of the cup.”
Haman thinks to himself, “Whom would the king really want to honor more than me?” So Haman says to King Ahasuerus:
“Here’s what should be done for the man the king really wants to honor. Have servants bring out a royal robe that the king himself has worn and a horse on which the king himself has ridden. It should have a royal crest on its head. Then hand over the robe and the horse to another man, one of the king’s officials. Have him personally robe the man whom the king really wants to honor and lead him on the horse through the city square. As he goes, have him shout, ‘This is what the king does for the man he really wants to honor!’”
The twist in that story is that King Ahasuerus isn’t thinking of Haman; he’s thinking of Mordecai, Haman’s nemesis. And King Ahasuerus instructs Haman to go and get things ready for this glorious procession to honor Mordecai.
I mention this to show you that the idea of a procession to honor someone has a long history...Kings and rulers throughout history would often organize grand processions to honor people… They did it to honor their military generals, and sometimes, they did it to honor themselves.
The procession honoring Mordecai was quite extravagant, but it was nothing compared to the huge processions organized during the Roman Empire. Unbelievably huge processions were organized in ancient Rome, usually for certain military generals who had overseen a great victory. These processions were called Triumphs.
It went like this: first, the Roman Senate had to confirm that the general was worthy enough to have a Triumph. Not just anyone could be honored with a Triumph!
Then, on the day of the Triumph, the general would gather with many military men, his soldiers and commanders, his whole army, prominently carrying their swords and their spears. Other officials and family members would also be a part of the Triumph procession, and even the general’s slaves.
Enemies that had been captured would also be made to march in the parade. There might be hundreds of them. They marched, all chained together.
When you add everyone up - the soldiers, the family members, the high officials, the slaves, the captured enemies… you realize: that’s a lot of people!
They would all gather before dawn. The general, and other officials, would give speeches. The general would wear a crown of laurel and a gold-embroidered toga that was red or purple, all of which identified him as near-divine. He might even have his face painted red for the occasion. On the day of his Triumph, at least, he was considered practically a god.
After the speeches, the procession would begin.
The general would climb into a ceremonial chariot pulled by four horses - beautiful, noble steeds. The procession would enter the city through a gate that was only used for such occasions.
Then the procession it would make its way through the streets of Rome. The general’s army, his family, his officials, his slaves, his captives, and all the spoils of war - gold and silver, and more gold and silver - would be part of the parade - thousands of people. There would be paintings depicting the battle, carried along with the procession, and there would possibly even be reenactments along the way.
It was HUGE.
Over time, Roman Triumphs grew even more and more elaborate. Eventually they extended over several days! Imagine the logistics of organizing such a celebration! Imagine the cost!
Once inside Rome, the procession would arrive at the temple of Jupiter, where a sacrifice to the gods would be made.
Once all that was over, there would be a big, lavish feast for the general and some select VIPs. No expense would be spared. It would have many courses, with slaves attending to the guests. There would be lots of wine, with the traditional raising of glasses to Caesar.
Additional banquets might also be organized for others who took part in the procession.
Triumphs didn’t happen every day. They were reserved for only the most important, most successful, most victorious commanders. Over time, even commanders found it hard to be awarded a triumph. By the time of Caesar Augustus, only the emperor could have a triumph awarded to him. Caesar wanted the highest honor reserved just for him. After all, he was the king of all kings, the lord of all lords, the Savior of Rome.
And Caesar’s triumphs, when they took place, continued to be incredibly grand processions, expensive things to organize.
Triumphs were etched into the minds of every person living in the Roman Empire. Most never actually saw a triumph, because most never made it to Rome. But images of triumphs appeared on coins and other items that were distributed throughout the empire, and monuments depicting triumphs were commissioned and made throughout the kingdom.
So even if they never actually saw a Triumph in person, Triumphs still made an impression in the minds of every person who lived within the Roman Empire.
Rome knew that Triumphs were great propaganda tools. They were demonstrations of the military superiority of Rome. They screamed out: “Behold the might of Rome! Behold how great is Caesar!” And, implied in that, was another message: “Don’t even think of challenging the Roman Empire. Don’t even think of going against Caesar. The army of Rome is all-powerful. Caesar is all-powerful...
“And he will crush you.”
There were other processions. Not as grand or extravagant as a Triumph, but still quite elaborate. And these other processions didn’t just take place in Rome.
For example: Herod was a ruler who ruled under Caesar. He had his headquarters at a place called Caesarea Phillipi, but he did make occasional visits to Jerusalem; and when he did, he arrived with great pomp and circumstance. He would arrive on a mighty warhorse, surrounded by chariots. As he travelled, the road was lined with soldiers, who raised their spears and swords as he passed by. It wasn’t a Triumph, but it was still a great, grand, glorious procession; one that left a mark in the minds of all who lived under his rule.
All of this is the background to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Jesus knew about Triumphs and other royal processions, and so did everyone else. They knew about all the symbolism involved, and what it meant.
Many believed that Jesus was to be a king like Caesar, one who would take over the throne. So when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, they expected him to make a grand entrance, just like the emperor would, or just like Herod would.
But the kingdom Jesus proclaimed was very different from the kingdom of Rome. Jesus would have a procession, but it would be unlike any procession anyone in the Roman Empire had ever seen before. It would be different, because Jesus knew that you cannot dismantle the Roman system of oppression and hierarchy by using Roman methods. He knew that you cannot dismantle the plantation system with the ways and means of the master.
So when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, he did not arrive on a mighty warhorse; he did not arrive in a chariot pulled by mighty horses. In his procession, Jesus rode a donkey. Not even a fully-grown donkey. Perhaps the most humble creature capable of carrying him.
It was not what people expected for a royal procession. It was the exact opposite of a mighty warhorse.
And in place of an army of soldiers carrying swords and spears, Jesus was accompanied by a crowd of common people: peasants, outcasts, and other lowlifes and misfits, wearing tattered clothing and worn-out sandals … or no sandals at all.
There were no spears or swords; instead, those who marched with him and those who cheered him on carried and waved palm branches. Ha! Palm branches! What kind of weapons are those? How could anyone ever hope to start a revolution, and establish a new kingdom, with palm branches!
It’s all quite absurd.
It’s quite absurd in the kingdom of Rome, but, in God’s kingdom, it is most appropriate. The prophets spoke of turning swords into plowshares, weapons of destruction into tools of production. Jesus led a nonviolent resistance movement, and would soon declare that violence, the way of the sword, was not his way.
So of course, in his procession, there were no weapons, just leafy green palm branches.
It wasn’t a procession demonstrating the glory of Rome; it was a procession demonstrating the glory of God.
It was a fitting procession for the one who came to bring good news to the poor….
It was a fitting procession for the one who said, “blessed are the poor, blessed are the meek, blessed are those who make peace….”
It was a fitting procession for the one who said all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but those who humble themselves will be exalted....
It was a fitting procession for the one who said the first shall be last but the last shall be first….
It was a fitting procession for the one who said that the greatest one among you is the one who serves....
It was a fitting procession for the one who gave extra attention to outcasts: lepers, the lame, the blind, tax collectors, and those possessed by demons.
It was a procession that Rome could never understand. Any Roman officials or soldiers who caught sight of Jesus’ procession must have burst out laughing. I’m sure they did laugh, if the enthusiasm of the cheering crowd didn’t make them too anxious.
And why was the crowd so excited? Because it appeared that all those things Jesus had talked about and modeled as the basis of the new kingdom were now going to happen. Jesus said that the kingdom was at hand, and maybe he was right! Everything about the Kingdom of Rome was being turned upside down, and they could see it happening with their own eyes!
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem took the idea of a triumph and turned it on its head. It mocked all the grand processions of Rome, of Caesar, of Herod.
THIS is who we are called to follow…
Jesus is not the kind of king who glorifies wealth and power.
Jesus is not the kind of king who trusts in weapons and strength for salvation.
Jesus is not the kind of king whose love for himself is greater than his love for the people.
Jesus is someone who humbles himself, who is obedient to his calling from God; he’s someone who seeks the lost, the lonely, the broken and the oppressed. He seeks them in order to save them, in order to heal them, in order to make them whole.
Jesus is someone who comes in peace, not carrying a weapon. He has no intention to hurt or harm, not even his enemies. But rather, he seeks to win all people over through love.
I mentioned that after a Roman Triumph, a grand banquet was held. Well, after his entry into Jerusalem, Jesus also had a banquet. He invited his closest friends, and they ate together.
But his banquet, like his procession, was different. At one point during the meal, Jesus put on the apron of a slave, and started serving his guests. No Roman king had ever done such a thing!
And then, when he broke the bread and raised his glass - instead of invoking the name of Caesar, calling on his guests to remember Caesar and honor Caesar, as was the tradition - Jesus told them: “Remember me. Remember who I am. Remember what I am like. Remember what I have done. Remember what I have said. Remember all I have taught you and all I have shown you.
“I have shown you the way of the kingdom of God. Remember it, and remember me, in the breaking of the bread, and in the drinking of the cup.”
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