March 20, 2005; Palm Sunday Readings: Matthew 21:1-11; Isaiah 45:21-25; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew’s Passion Narrative; Psalm 22:1-11.   The Rev. Dr. Hilary B. Smith Not the Easy Way Why does this day, this service, begin with joy and end with sorrow? Our worship is designed to help us remember the great acts of God—acts that reach out to us in our own time. Our remembering, in the context of worship, helps us to relive the events—today, specifically the events of Jesus’ life that led him to the Cross. Through Jesus, our Lord, the Christ, God entered the drama of human life in a distinctive way. That way would not be easy, but it would be a great act of love. Such love cannot be subdued. As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people thought that he would be victorious in a way that they understood. They thought that he would defeat their oppressors through military action. They would be victorious because of Jesus. They would be, but not in the way that they imagined. Through Jesus, God would have victory in the drama of human life in a way that would have broader application. The love of God made known through Jesus, would provide a way for all people, in all times and in all places. The victory that God would have was to have eternal and universal significance. How much easier it would have been for those present in the moment, and for us today, if the hosannas could have lasted. So rarely, however, do the cries of victory last in the context of human history. Everyone has moments of pain. Every nation has times of suffering. It would have been easier to continue the celebration. But how often does the easy way turnout to be the best way? This is the Sunday of the Passion. It was, and is, not the easiest way. By this way, however, God entered the drama of human life at its most tender point—at the point where we are most vulnerable. God entered into that human experience of vulnerability by becoming vulnerable. It would have been easier to have the celebration continue, but by entering the sorrow God allowed for the transformation of sorrow. We close our service today in sorrow for the pain—the pain that Jesus suffered and pain of our world. We enter Holy Week being reminded that the Way of Jesus is not a way that avoids but, rather, a way that enters into the sorrow. Victory was not known on the day of the crucifixion; but victory was accomplished. God would have the victory. God would have it, and God would give it to us through Jesus Christ. Amen.