A Reflection on a Palm Sunday Hymn

Ride on! Ride on! in majesty, the winged squadron of the sky
Look down with sad and wondering eyes, to see the approaching sacrifice.

Ride on! Ride on! in majesty, thy last and fiercest strife is nigh.
The Father on his sapphire throne, expects his own anointed Son. ~Milman, 1820

Three years ago, I had the pleasure of rehearsing the hymn that includes these verses with a class of seminarians who had a deep affection for poetry and theology. The reaction of one, imprinted indelibly on my mind, was tears at these two verses. It isn’t surprising-I’ve had the same reaction. One of a good hymn’s greatest traits, is its ability to speak of objective events without injecting the author’s subjective opinions of the event. There is no “I” or “Me” anywhere in this hymn. And yet, at the same time, it is suffused with deeply moving imagery, poetry, and devotion.

A few thoughts on these stanzas: the irony of the shared opening line must be embraced. The majesty is not what we would imagine. Rather than a glorious steed, the Davidic King, the one who had just raised Lazarus from the dead, approaches on the lowliest of animals. As long prophesied, he comes on an ass, meek and lowly. Some degree of mystery, a lingering sense that something was not quite right, must have overshadowed this otherwise joyous occasion. This is attested by the author’s reflection on the angel armies, the entire heavenly host gazing upon this spectacle with sadness and wonder. Wonder, because as the scriptures teach, the angels look upon the mysteries of salvation without full comprehension. (I Pet.1:12) Yet here, sadness too. The angelic band senses the inconsistency of His Majesty’s beast and the clamors of “Hosanna!”. An awareness exists that this scene will rapidly transition from celebration to crucifixion. This reality awakens sadness in the messengers of God as they realize the divine scheme’s most critical moments have arrived. And the author keenly grasps the precise reason for Christ’s entry into Jerusalem-he comes as sacrifice. More on this momentarily.

The idea that there was a “last strife” indicates this isn’t the first contest for Christ and the powers of darkness. And indeed, the fasting and temptation in the wilderness, the challenges by the Jewish elite, and other events in Christ’s life could all be counted as strife. But here, hell will summon all its powers. One last, grand effort is launched-a battle the devil seemingly wins, though we know in the words of Chrysostom that “hell took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was seen, and was overcome by what was unseen.” Imagine, only one Warrior could prevail in this encounter-humanity united to Divinity in the Person of Jesus Christ. Hell would have succeeded in any other fight. But not with the Word made Flesh. No mistake should be made, however, it was a fierce strife. And no other power could be summoned to wrestle with sin and death-but Life himself. And that is why the verse ends with the glorious line “the Father...expects his own anointed Son.”

But this battle would not be waged with conventional weapons. A meek and lowly servant-a willing victim- fights with a love that could not be overcome. There are numerous interpretive lenses through which we can examine the atonement. But the chief one, and the one to which all other must be subservient, is that Christ is sacrifice. He willingly lays down his life. The Father does not execute him. Neither does Pilate or the rabble. It is a free offering which both fulfills and supersedes every other sacrifice made within the walls of the temple. The words of Jesus’ cousin and forerunner “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” are apt. Watch as the Lord, strong and mighty, the King of Glory rides to the everlasting doors armed with divine love to freely give himself.
Reflecting on these themes, tears seem an appropriate response.

Thoughts from Screwtape

My Dear Wormwood,

With great pleasure, I received your last message indicating the fear your patient felt at the ongoing international calamity. Indeed, the censors of Hell have been filled with the aroma of human panic. Such delights, you must know, enchant Our Father’s heart. My admonishment to you is to continue feeding this fear. Be sure that you entice him to check his social media accounts. It makes little difference whether he reads a news report, cynical conspiracy, or a witty meme-the thing is to keep the source of fear before his eyes. When his mind turns toward work, family, friends, or especially to our Enemy, slip into his conscience a reminder of what could happen. In fact, this is the key: the Enemy desires the humans to be concerned with what they do. Your job is to focus the patient’s attention on how things may turn out. The present circumstances should help with this.

While times of great turmoil gladden our souls and human dread is our sacrament, I must warn you that such seasons can give rise to an awful specter. I can barely write it: humans considering their own mortality. Ah! Perish the thought! Slybucks and his research team have invested ages in perfecting the art of distraction. Most of our patients are buried in so many layers of them, that even if one is lost, we still have them firmly under our control. But even our best tempters have, at times, been thwarted by patients contemplating death. When it forces itself before their eyes, they begin to grapple with their priorities, order their affections, and fly to the protection of the Enemy. For reasons we have not yet discerned, He always receives them.

Wormwood, scattered reports have reached my desk which concern me. Mind you, there is time to work these developments in our favor, but you must act swiftly. The cancellation of sporting events, closing of schools, and social-distancing are giving your patient time for silence and reflection. It is precisely this scenario which could undermine all of your efforts. Instead of letting him use this time wisely, you must engender in him feelings of sadness for the toys he has lost. Lead him to wonder when he will have them again. A double pleasure! Not only will you distract him from the thoughts which would lead him to the Enemy but you will have him dwelling on distractions he cannot have. In his disappointment and despair, bring his attention again to his worst fears. His misery will be your amusement now and his soul ours forever.
Your affectionate Uncle,
Screwtape