The sentiment behind Palm Sunday is one of a complex nature. Perhaps this is why it wasn’t mentioned in church today. It is easier to preach on Easter when the feelings are natural and straight forward as opposed to a feast that commemorates Jesus Triumphal entry, all the while knowing that this false celebration would turn to scoffing and ridicule.
Despite the climax that we know will follow in just 5 days time Palm Sunday is traditionally a time when the church, especially children mark Jesus as the Prince of Peace. In Matthew, it is described like this:
21:1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and [1] on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
There are a few things to note in this passage. The first one being that Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. Traditionally, Kings would ride into the city on horses as they prepared to wage war. Jesus however, rode a donkey, which symbolized peace. He did not come to fight a violent battle, rather he came in peace for he is the Prince of Peace.
The other detail that I would like to highlight is the word Hosanna. The crowds shouted “Hosanna in the Highest!” But what does this really mean? I feel that John Piper explains it best in this article. It’s meaning is hard to pin down and is redundant if researched in a Greek Lexicon as it is actually a Hebrew word used but once in the old testament and refers to salvation.
At the end of the passage however they say “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” So my question is, if they believed that Jesus was but a prophet how would he bring salvation. Did they not know that salvation comes from God and God alone?
I can’t help but wonder how Jesus felt as he rode into Jerusalem, being exalted out of ignorance. Perhaps, it is these thoughts that fuelled his rage when he cleansed the temple of commerce upon his arrival. There does however, seem to be one group whose simple hearts knew of the truth they shouted. And when the Pharisees asked Jesus, “Do you hear what they are saying?” Jesus replied, “Yes; have you not read, Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies, you have prepared praise.”
How I long for child-like faith. When the simplicity of the moment is first and foremost:
Jesus is Lord. He died for our sins on the cross. Was resurrected from the dead and upon the confession of sin and acceptance of His grace we can live with him now and forever.
As we enter what is traditionally known as the Holy week, I hope you will follow with child-like faith. Not through skeptical eyes with cynical hearts (as is my temptation) but rather keeping our eyes fixed on God with hearts full of joy.
**I have to admit that these posts: should I be successful in posting as much as I would like this week, are an exercise to flush out my currently embittered heart. Today, as I sat in church and listened to the Pastor preach on the good news I felt little joy. I don’t want my life to be a reaction to what could be worse but rather a celebration of what is and is to come. I don’t find it helpful when looking out at the snow to say, “Well, it could be worse, we could be homeless in Japan” because while that is true it is simply a backward pessimism, not a love driven optimism. I would rather see it as God’s creation and therefore beautiful in and of itself. I don’t want to live out of fear of God’s wrath but rather driven by the Psalmist deep thirst for God and unhindered love for his Saviour. I would appreciate prayers in this week. It has been a cold winter in the valley and I’m ready for spring.**
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