Pilate or Jesus: Parade or Protest?

  My wife, Mary Funk, preached the Palm Sunday service at her church. Instead of the usual palm-waving story of the entry into Jerusalem, she spoke about the two parades–Pilate and Jesus. Mary brought out the drastic differences between Pilate’s parade as a show of force and the protest march of Jesus as a show of humbleness and love.  

After reading her sermon, I went to my computer and wrote the following. I hope you will get a message from this short poem, showing how Jesus brings us God’s love and caring.

PILATE OR JESUS: Parade or Protest?

Proud Pilate rode his steed into Jerusalem

Jesus humbled himself to ride a donkey

Pilate had Caesar and the Empire for support

Jesus started a protest march wanting to set his people free.

Pilate had no time for rebels and zealots 

Jesus wanted these offenders to follow him

Pilate stood for “Pax Romana” and killed to keep that peace

Jesus stood for his Father’s love and justice

Pilate expected Jesus to humble himself before him

Jesus never bowed; his protest confused Pilate

Pilate could not handle peaceful protests

Jesus protested peacefully and drew a crowd

 

Pilate had a parade and gained nothing

Jesus had a protest and started a movement

Pilate, the Governor, lost control and let Christ die

Jesus gained the upper hand because his protest led to life

GilbertG   2026-03-27

See I am Doing a New Thing!

 

I attended the Mennonite Church Manitoba Gathering Inspirational Evening. I listened to the stories and meditations, and was inspired by the speakers and the musicians. When I got home, I had the evening's event ringing in my mind's ear! This short poem is the result. I trust it will bring joy to you.

God says, “I am about to do a new thing!”

What is about to happen—what is happening?

We are part of this new thing.

God is guiding us in ways we may not understand,

In ways we did not expect.

When Isaiah listened to God and

Spoke these words, he did not live in our world;

He spoke of the animal world, the water in the desert;

He spoke of chariots and army battalions.

We live in a world where we hear of bombs and drones

And supposed enemies within and without our land.

What new thing is God doing in this world ?

Filled with pain and sorrow;

Filled with climate change and forests ablaze;

Filled with men and women who deny the realities,

Who somehow think they are masters of the world.

How little do they know—God is still the master

Who is doing a new thing in our world!

God, thank you for a church that desires to follow you.

Thank you for the larger fellowship that,

With hugging arms, has welcomed us and

Wants us to join in the new thing that God is doing.

Thank you for the many energetic leaders

That are guiding us as we see what God is doing.

Thank you for the welcoming group of churches

That show us such embracing love, and

We thank God for the new thing brought into our lives.