William Shakespeare wrote tragedies from the beginning of his career.  Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, and Othello could all be considered, “tragedies with a twist.”  They were called “love” tragedies.  These tragedies differ from the other tragedies in that the lovers are not doomed through any fault of their own, but because of some barrier in the world around them.  In these tragedies, death is completely a kind of consummation of their love – as if love cannot properly succeed in such a tragic world.

            Long before Shakespeare, our Lord wrote a love tragedy.  However, His love can and does properly succeed in such a tragic world.  We call this tragedy the story of “The Passion.”  Last Sunday we began with the traditional Passion Sunday that would lead us to where we are right now – children waving palm branches while marching into the sanctuary.  It would lead them to sing, “Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”  It would lead us to see Jesus riding on a donkey into Jerusalem.  It would lead us to understand that a tragedy is about to happen but we will call our Lord’s arrival into Jerusalem today a “Triumphal” entry.  It’s triumph for us and tragedy for Him.

            But triumph is what everyone expressed on Palm Sunday.  There was no indication that this “entry” was anything but the triumph of a king.  How that must have looked.  There were crowds on both sides of our Lord – some in front going before Him and others behind following.  It must have looked like a royal procession.  Palm branches were cut and placed on the ground before Him.  Coats were placed before Him as the procession continued.  Not only did this entry look triumphant, so were the shouts that were heard.  “Hosanna” is what they would say.  They would say to the king acclaiming to one another, “Grant Salvation.”  They would say, “Save Now.”  That’s what a great King could do.  That’s what is expected from a Messiah.  Triumph was on their lips and they believed it.

            They believed it because that is what was promised.  Life is triumphant!  Just think about it for just a moment.  The beginning of life in this world is victory.  It’s victory for us because life is ours.  It’s victory for our Lord because He has breathed life into another one of His precious children.  When we see a child, when we hold a child – even a child that is sick or a child that is born too early or with other kinds of troubles – we see victory.  We see a child of God.  We see what the Lord has made and we rejoice in life.

This is the same even with a tree that sprouts new buds or a plant that shows new flowers.  In the spring time we see life coming alive and Easter is the indication of this.  We see the grass getting greener and the leaves coming in.  It looks like triumph and it is triumph.

            But then with triumph comes tragedy.  This is the way it is with everything – even the life of our Lord.  He came with stirring shouts and rousing approval.  But not all would approve.  Here is where the tragedy comes in.  Tragedy would begin with a supper when Judas would go and do what he thought he had to do and Jesus knew it.  The tragedy would then move to a garden.  There would be tragedy with the faithful not even capable of staying awake – and Jesus knew it.  There was tragedy during that confrontation in that garden and Jesus knew it.  There was tragedy in betrayal when Peter denied the Savior three times – Jesus knew it.  The tragedy continued with the Messiah being beaten and spit on – the tragedy of a death sentence and the insult of a known murderer being released instead of Jesus.  The tragedy of Jesus wearing the wrong kind of crown and carrying on His back the wrong kind of throne.  The tragedy of the Messiah being nailed to a tree and then left for dead between two thieves who absolutely deserved their punishment when, if there ever was a man who didn’t deserve what He got, was left to die – and Jesus knew it.

            Just like with the life of Jesus – with our life – triumph turns to tragedy.  Who among us has not seen life take a turn for the worse?  We don’t need to see another presidential speech or another headline in the paper for us to know that we are going through tough economic times.  People are loosing jobs and if we still have our jobs, there has been a hiring freeze or a pay increase freeze or even we have to take pay cuts because of these conditions.  But it’s just money and it’s just a job – there’s more.  Our families are turned upside down and it might not have anything to do with our job.  The good day turns into a bad day, and then a worse day.  What were peaches and roses yesterday has turned into sour grapes today.  Our lives can turn on a dime.  Tragedy has a way of sneaking up on us.  Life changes – people change – situations and circumstances change – and not always for the better.  In our life, like our Savior’s life, triumph can turn to tragedy – we know it and Jesus knows it.

With what is good in life also comes the bad.  But it doesn’t stay bad.  That’s why there is always hope.  Today we begin our Passion trip in triumph with a King and a procession and waving palm branches and shouts of Hosanna.  But the “triumph” won’t last – and Jesus knows it.  It would be short lived because another crowd is gathering in Jerusalem.  It’s a crowd that wants to see Jesus dead.  They want to be rid of Him.  They want Him out of their way.  That crowd is the crowd of tragedy and they will silence the crowd of triumph we hear today.  Beloved in the Lord, get ready for it.  Get ready for it this most Holy Week and get ready for it in life.  I’m not trying to be all gloom and doom for you today – but be prepared – triumph has a way of turning to tragedy.

            But never does it stay that way!!  Because in Christ, tragedy turns back to triumph.  And today – if today was the last day of our lives – In Christ we would have triumph.  And how bad it might be for us right now and we have many days ahead, our Lord promises to be there right beside us – even if days ahead seem more tragic.  For the Passion it begins with triumph turning to tragedy in the garden, before the Sanhedrin, in the Praetorium, and on that cross.  But it doesn’t end there.  If it ended there – there would be no hope.  But there is hope because we will be here one week from today singing those joyous cries in the liturgy we have been missing during Lent.  We will be here greeting one another by saying, “Christ is Risen.”  And because there is Easter, beloved in the Lord, there is always hope.  Life includes triumph and it includes tragedy, but it never stays that way – In Christ, it always ends in triumph!

            Our Lord wrote a love tragedy for us today.  We could call this day the first chapter.  It always starts out just wonderful and has its “hard times” along the way.  This love tragedy shows how love can succeed in such a tragic world – amidst the trials, temptations and tragedies in life.  The mercy of our Lord endures forever.  That “forever” means triumph for you.  That forever is as sure as your life today.  That forever is a love tragedy that does not end in tragedy.

            We are on our way – to the table – to the garden – to the Sanhedrin – to the Praetorium – to the cross.  We are on our way – and this one ends with a promise.  You are forgiven.  You have eternal life.  This one ends with love and life and hope.  This one ends in victory.  Hosanna, dear Jesus.  Grant Salvation, Lord.  Save Now, blessed Savior.  Amen.

The peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Amen.