Rev. George Miller
April 2, 2023
Matthew 21:1-11
March 11 marked 3 years since COVID related shutdowns. April 1 when FL began restrictions. Around
that time we held our 1st Percussive Worship service.
The inspiration came from the realization that we were all so filled with
fear, anxiety, and doubt that one way to express those emotions was through our
hands.
So we gathered with coffee cans filled with coins, drums, wooden spoons and
boxes and we just allowed our hands to worship God, offer up sounds of lament,
and physically release all we felt.
Now, here we are, participating in our Annual Percussive Palm Sunday Service.
Using our hands to keep a beat, fill the sanctuary with sound, allowing
ourselves to be free and ONE.
So often we worship with our mouths, our songs, our silence, but today,
we worship with our hands.
Our hands. Recently, there’s been research
revealing how essential our hands are in terms of daily life and communication.
Scientists say that when we meet someone, the first place we look is not
their eyes or smile, but their hands.
Why? Because the primitive cave person
inside of us needs to know if they have come in peace or if they’ve come with a
weapon.
So our eyes instinctively look at their hands to figure out if they are safe
or a danger.
This played out during COVID. Handshakes
seen as death threats; hugs as harbingers of death.
3 years ago if someone coughed or sneezed and extended their hand, you’d
back up as if they had an UZI.
Whoa to all the Church Mothers who could no longer hold you to their bosom;
whoa to our elderly folk in which hugs were the few forms of touch they got all
week.
Hands. Think of the role they play
in today’s story, the final week of Jesus’ life. He comes to Jerusalem during the busiest time
of the year.
The Who’s Who of royalty has come riding in on mighty steeds, carrying weapons
of steel and bronze, flanked by guards and dignitaries.
But Jesus is not that kind of King.
Instead of a steed, he comes riding in on a humble donkey.
Instead of armored security he has his 12 disciples and 2 previously
blind men he just healed.
Instead of dignitaries, he’s surrounded by common folk.
They have no gold, they have no silver.
No white roses or red carpet, but crowds of every-day people, ready to
sing “Hosanna!”
Perhaps what is so amazing about this story is their hands.
Scientists say that not only do we look at people’s hands when first meeting
them, but we see those who speak with their hands as the most effective
communicators.
So, pay attention to the hands in this story.
First, Jesus. He has no
weapon. No sword. No rod. No spear.
This signals to the people that he came in peace. He did not come to punish; he was not afraid.
With no weapon in his hands, Jesus is sending a message “I am gentle, I can
be trusted. I am vulnerable.”
There are the hands of the people.
See how they communicate-
-the hands of the people taking off their cloaks
-the hands of the people cutting branches from the trees
-the hands of the people spreading garments and greenery along the path.
As the people sing songs from their heart and shout “Hosannas”, their
hands do the true communication.
It is their hands that offer comfort to the colt as it carries Christ
upon the clothes.
Their hands hold the memory of their ancestors who laid down cloaks for previous
kings.
Their hands wave branches just as their grandparents did for all the past
religious festivals.
Their hands do not greet Jesus with swords, spears, hammers or nails. Their hands greet Jesus with gifts of
greenery and garments, clothe and compassion.
It is a beautiful scene in which Jesus rides into Jerusalem not saying a
single word- he doesn’t have to. His
hands say it all.
He is a King of Peace, a King of Gentleness, a King of Humility.
It is a beautiful scene because while the people praise with song, it is their
hands that show Jesus just how much he is loved.
It is melancholy because soon Jesus will experience other hands-
Hands that will arrest him.
Hands that will strip him.
Hands of Pilate that will wash
themselves of Jesus.
Hands that will nail him,
son of Mary, to the cross.
Hands- Scientists say we look at the hands of others to see if they are
safe.
All throughout the Gospel, what have we seen?
How Jesus used his hands to bring wellness to others.
How Jesus stretched out his hands to bring folk back into community.
How Jesus used his hands to feed the crowds.
How he used his hands to hold nothing when the rest of the world was
expected to carry a sword.
Hands.
Think of how we at Emmanuel have used our hands.
Hands to build homes in Biloxi and gardens that are accessible to all.
Hands to extend signs of welcome and grace, even to those from afar.
Hands to feed the hungry.
Hands that welcome the immigrant, the LGBTQ, the Black and the Brown when
the state of Florida and members of America world would rather condemn, silence
or ban.
Hands.
They help us know if we are safe.
They are ways in which we communicate.
They are ways we minister.
They are ways we make Heaven real and ways we praise our God and honor
our Savior.
What will your hands say to others this week? How will your hands welcome the light of
Christ into your life?
Amen.
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