Scripture: John 12:12-27, 19:16b-22

Ben Rudeen Kreider, pastor at Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship, provided the message on this Palm Sunday.

From the ubiquitous Buc-ee's billboards to the variety of incredibly creative signs seen at yesterday's No Kings rallies, signs are everywhere. A good sign grabs your attention in a short phrase with what a movement is about.

Palm branches waved while Jesus rides in on a donkey colt--both are symbols, or signs with meaning. Pilate had a sign for the world to see hung above Jesus when he was nailed to the cross: "King of the Jews." These words were meant to mock, deride and belittle. To send a message that anyone who dared cross or insinuate kingship was a threat to the Roman Empire. Yet we as followers of Jesus cling with faith to the truth of that sign posted above him.

The paradox of faith is that we believe that this man deserves all titles of honor and respect and admiration and gratitude, that he is indeed King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the very Son of God.

Scripture: John 19:1-16b

On this fifth Sunday of Lent, we continue the story of Jesus before Pontius Pilate. Through lots of questioning Jesus is mum. When Pilate gets quite frustrated and asks if Jesus is not aware that he has the power to release Jesus or to have him crucified, Jesus answers, "You have no power over me unless it has been given to you from above." Pilate can find no wrong in him, but the Jewish leaders and the people insist he must be crucified.

What made Jesus dangerous was his lack of fear. But Pilate is afraid for his role. When the Jewish leaders say they have no king but the emperor Caesar, Pilate is concerned for his own life.

There is such a contrast, such dissonance, between the apparently fearless Jesus and these deeply religious men speaking blasphemy. It can be difficult for us not to fall into the trap of relying on our government as our ruler, when instead we are called to rely on a higher power.

Scripture: John 18:28-40

There are so many points of reference for our lives today in this story of Jesus before Pilate that Susan spoke about on this fourth Sunday of Lent. Pilate was a politician, not a statesman, not a leader, but a politician. To Pilate, truth was something to manipulate.

The dissonance between Pilate and Jesus is stark. As relatable as Pilate is--we read about the likes of him in the newspaper everyday--so we understand his world, his priorities. But it's this other king, Jesus, who claims our allegiance, whose kingdom is not of this world. Jesus has gone before us and stood up to evil and power.