I’d forgotten about the Luke Rock Opera I wanted someone to compose until I was preparing for Palm Sunday.  The Palm Sunday text just reinforces an ongoing theme in this musical, partying Gospel.  Consider these words and scenes…

Back in chapter one there’s Mary finding out she’s pregnant and soon after soloing about the radical nature of God who overturns the power structure of the universe.  (Sounds like heavy metal or industrial to me.)  Soon Zechariah is at the mic:  The cosmos of light connects personally to us human beings, bringing peace and healing.

The angels in chapter two have already been recorded. But why should their Gloria! at Jesus’ birth get all the attention?  Isaiah’s poetry is appropriated in chapter three to declare The Voice of a new era – John the Baptist.  And Jesus turns to Isaiah in chapter four to proclaim freedom.

Then there is the unique Luke chapter 15—what a bunch of party animals.  A big splash over a returned sheep.  A block party with the rediscovery of a coin.  Then there’s that father who orders fatted calf after the rehab of his youngest boy.

Perhaps this explains Luke’s witness to Palm Sunday.  I mean, because there are no palms (compare to Matthew, Mark & John).  But there is a whole lot of noise.
Lots of people singing one of the Psalter’s greatest hits.
Luke even dares to describe the disciples as “loud.”
Is this the first recorded evidence of a flash mob?

The New Testament party poopers, the Pharisees, are covering their ears and they are annoyed.
Jesus, tell your people to pipe down.
Not happening, says Jesus.  If they’re hushed, the stones will start screaming.

So is Luke the most noisy and partying Gospel or what?
I wonder what Zacchaeus had playing on his stereo earlier in Chapter 19?  And what was on the Good Samaritan’s iPod?

As Holy Week begins more texts of Luke will be explored.  Some of them will have a more minor key.

But across this Christ’s Palm Sunday reassurance may be:
Our God comes and will not keep silent!
Psalm 50:3
The Gospel of Luke points to a God who rocks on.

Blessings, Pastor Sarah Dickinson

References:
Luke 1:46-55, 1:68-79, 2:14, 3:4-6, 4:18-19, 15:6.9,23; 19:37-40; Psalm 118;