The essence of great one liners is that they say an enormous amount in a tiny space. On Palm Sunday approaches (as I write) this one line comes from an old Palm Sunday hymn, Ride on, ride on in majesty.
In lowly pomp ride on to die
If this seems like just an obvious line for Palm Sunday it might be worth pointing out
a) lowly pomp This is all but a meaningless expression - pomp is exactly the opposite of lowly. Yet lowly pomp is exactly what was on display as Christ rode the young donkey into the great city. Incongruous, yet true; and incongruity is in the middle of the atmosphere of Easter.
b) ride on This phrase captures the partial nature of this journey. He is riding, but he must ride on. There is very little Gospel in Palm Sunday though at first glance it is almost the best news imaginable. The point of Jesus entry into the city was, in fact, to leave it.
c) to die. He made evident to his disciples - who did not really listen - that he was up to Jerusalem in order to die. A ride to the triumph of the cross.
Henry Milman, who wrote this hymn, was far from a great devotee of the Gospel - but he was a great writer and here, in 7 short word, he captured a lot that is essential about Easter week.
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