Today is Palm Sunday, the so-called “triumphal entry” of Jesus! What was so triumphal about the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem? It is weird, isn’t it? Jesus was just riding a donkey or a colt, not even a horse.
He did not have an army – just a bunch of ordinary people who would desert him five days later. The people who shouted “Hosanna and blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matt 21:9) would cry out “crucify him” five days later (Matt 27:22). The man who was decorated as “king of Israel” would be brutally crucified in five days. So, why is it called a “triumphal entry?”
Jesus had set His face on Jerusalem knowing what awaited Him was the brutality of the very people He came to save. They would beat Him, ridicule Him and humiliate Him because of their disbelief and for some, their desire to hold onto their positions of power. They were content with life as it was. They were threatened by his teaching, and filled with jealousy over the fact that He was able to perform miracles, heal people who were flocking to Him from far and near and he had a different set of priorities.
The Jews had been waiting for a Savior. They knew that the Messiah would come. However, their concept of the Messiah was a mighty warrior who would deliver them from the Roman tyranny. They have heard of his miracles, especially the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead, which he performed (Jn. 11) just before the entry into Jerusalem. Therefore, they probably hoped that Jesus would perform some miracles and get rid of the Romans. Perhaps that was the reason they gave the welcome reception fit for a king.
We read that people cut branches from palm trees, laid them across Jesus’ path and waved them in the air. They greeted Jesus not as the spiritual Messiah who would take away the sins of the world, but as a potential political leader who would overthrow the Romans. The palms represented victory. That is why they shouted “Hosanna”. Their shout “Hosanna” meant “save now.” Perhaps they thought Jesus would help or save them, and establish his kingdom. They were right, but their view of the kingdom was entirely different from that of Jesus.
The problem with palms is that once you cut the branches from the tree, they don’t last long. The problem with Palm Sunday is that the excitement of the crowds didn’t last very long and a few short days later when Good Friday came, many of the same voices who shouted “Hosanna!” were also shouting “Crucify Him!” This was a sign that their love for the Lord was shallow and based entirely on their hope of what exciting things He could do for them!
Jesus always spoke about his kingdom, but his kingdom is not of this world. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. This was a simple way to symbolize the truth that Jesus did in fact come as a king. While He accepted the title of “king,” He refused to become the military messiah that the people – even the disciples wanted. How easily we can become confused into making Jesus what we want Him to be rather than who He was and who He is. He was resolved to really save us from ourselves and not merely the oppressive rulers of any given society… that signifies how triumphal Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was.
The point is, looking at it from any angle; the Palm Sunday has no sign of triumph or victory. All we find is a suffering servant, who was falsely accused and brutally assaulted and put to a shameful death.
Today, you and I may be shouting hosanna in our homes (no church because of Corona Virus). Friends, what may be our reasons for shouting hosanna? Are we also, like the voices of the Jews, shout crucify Him because our expectation for prosperity, healing and victory over our perceived enemies even the virus have not materialized?
The cross represents for us the answer to the human tendency toward selfishness which is self-sacrifice. As Paul rightly said, the cross is a stumbling block to many because we don’t want to give up any of our wants and desires for the good of others and we certainly are not born wanting to suffer in any way. It is often said that no parent has to teach their child selfishness, it is born into us as we are a product of a sinful world. We are so deep in sin that it would take a miracle to free us and get us headed in the right direction. Therefore, Jesus knew He would have to let Himself be offered on the cross because He knew what it would take for us to finally lay down our egos and our defences, our self-righteousness and exchange them for the opportunity to bask in His shadow and be in His glorious presence.
Humanity has the cancer of sin which can only be cured by a sheer act of mercy and compassion granted by the God who made us and gave us life. Our sin is so deep-seated that we could not and cannot see or understand the truth without the eyes and mind of Christ.
But Jesus is unwavering, unshakeable, He is determined and resolved, He is Alpha and Omega, He is Messiah and Anointed, the Lamb of God who would go willingly to the slaughter to help us see what could not be seen without His sacrifice. His resolve is unmistakable and what he would accomplish could only be done by the true Son of God.
The triumphal entry and Palm Sunday are part of God’s master plan. Nearly 600 years before the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, God foretold this event through the prophet Zechariah:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; righteous and having salvation, he is humble and mounted on a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9).
War tools have no place in the Messiah’s kingdom. He shall speak peace to the nations. God’s Word is the “weapon” by which He brings peace. Luther says: “Here there is no violence, no armour, no power, no anger, no wrath … Here there are only kindness, justice, salvation, mercy, and every good thing.” Palm Sunday and the triumphal entry is the long-awaited Savior!
Going back to the original question, what is triumphal about the entry? The answer would come seven days later or next Sunday. That entry was the beginning of the greatest triumph ever made in known history – the defeat of death. A victory over death! No one, other than Jesus, has ever been able to defeat death. Death could not contain him. That is why it is a triumphal entry!
Palm branches are a part of Christian worship on Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday, But there are lessons to learn about Palm Sunday: In ancient times, palm branches symbolized goodness and victory. They were often depicted on coins and important buildings. Solomon had palm branches carved into the walls and doors of the temple (1 Kings 6:29). Again at the end of the Bible (Rev. 7:9), people from every nation raise palm branches to honour Jesus.
In His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus gave public proof that He is this promised king (Matt. 21). For God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phi 2:9-11).
Today, Christian churches (home church) will distribute palm branches to worshipers on Palm Sunday. The people are remembering the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross, praise Him for the gift of salvation, and look expectantly to His second coming.
The promise of Christ’s return, the return of the One who died and rose again for all people, calls believers, then, to a life that is full of hope. In fact, no matter what the circumstances (COVID19) are for us personally or for the church corporately and the country, we are called to be what we are: people of hope, people of the promise!
Long ago, God made a promise with Adam and Eve, then with Abraham, a promise to redeem and restore the world through their seed. God fulfilled that promise in the sending of His Son. The very birth of the Christ Child, the One that the Scripture says, “Will cause the rise and fall of many,” the One who will “save His people from their sins,” His life, His death and resurrection is the central message of a story that God has been telling to humanity from the beginning of time. He calls sinners, all humanity, to repentance, to forgive them, and give them His gift of life and salvation.
This is the most reassuring and hope-filled day we call “Palm Sunday” that Jesus never wavered regarding His plan even though the cross hovered in the background. The fear and finality of death would be shattered forever, and replaced with the assurance of life eternal. Have a blessed Palm Sunday!
Amen.