What was Jesus’ celebrity about? Like King and Milk, it was his challenge to power structures of the day which denied humanity to individuals; it was standing up to warped authority that hurts people. On that Passover day in the gospel narrative there is a joyous feeling and all could sense it, participate in it. Passover was a celebration ingrained in history, in blood and bones. The people had experienced release from Egypt and from Babylon – why not release now from Rome? At the end, maybe Jesus “gave in” to the pressure to be a celebrity in order to achieve a goal. And he knew that it could have sacrificial consequences. This is what can happen when we speak and live our truth. When and how do you rise to the challenge of living a life of integrity, unafraid to spend who you are, your celebrity, not for your comfort and gain, but for a better world that needs you, the way the crowd needed Jesus?
Blessings to you,
Pastor Carol