After studying Judges 19-21 last year, the bible chapters I would consider to be the most terrifying of the “texts of terror” (Phyllis Trible), Jesus’ triumphal entry means more 2 me. What does the gang rape, murder & dismemberment of a priest’s concubine have 2 do w Palm Sunday?

The book of Judges has been a downward, depressing cycle: rebellion, oppression, cry for help, rescue, and then peace. Over and over until that downward spiral ends after Samson’s judgeship in total and complete destruction.

There was no king during the time of judges, but even if they had one, we know what kings do. King David raped Bathsheba. Amnon rapes Tamar. Absalom rapes his father’s concubine. There was no king in Israel and there were no good judges except for Deborah.

By the end of this dumpster fire of a book (fire shows up all over the book) we see that in addition to no king, and unimpressive judges, now even the priests are wicked.

The editor of the book of Judges introduces us to a priest in chapter 17 that carved images out of silver. The editor wants us to see that priests who make carved images end up carving image-bearers.

When we close the book of judges we are longing for Jesus:
•A good king
•A righteous and merciful Judge
•A great high priest who sacrifices his own life for ours

The last image we have of the nameless concubine from Bethlehem is of her dismembered into 12 pieces and riding a donkey.

Both from Bethlehem, but she is nameless in the text and Jesus is the sweetest name we know. She a woman, he a man. She was just property, he owns it all. She was powerless, he all-powerful. She had no refuge, he is our refuge. She collapses at a doorway, Jesus is the door.

Of all the characters in scriptures, she is the least of these. He is the greatest and becomes the least.

Both broken for others and used as sacrifices. Both victims of abuse, torture, humiliation, stripped of their clothes and dignity, victims of violence, murder, & betrayal.

While her life was laid down by men, Jesus lays down his own life by his own will. She is cut into 12 pieces, Jesus comes to redeem the twelve tribes. She rides a donkey broken in her death and defeat, Jesus rides his donkey in on his triumphal entry on his way to the cross.

If you have been left for dead, Jesus understands. He too has been to hell and back. There is no tragedy he has not carried. There is one man, unlike any other, who has never cruelly or cowardly demanded a woman’s dignity to save his own life. Jesus gives his away.

The kings failed us. The judges failed us. The priests failed us. Jesus does not. He is our King of kings, righteous and merciful judge and our great high priest.

Wave the palm branches as Jesus passes by on the donkey.

John 12:14-15

Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written:

*Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.*