“Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 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!’” Matthew 21:8-9
Palm Sunday is one of the greatest ironies of the passion story. On Sunday, the crowd of Jews in Jerusalem honor Jesus and call on him to save them (the meaning of “Hosanna”). Then on Friday, the same crowd calls on Pilate to execute Jesus. Five days to go from “Save us!” to “Crucify him!”
Sadly, we can all relate. One day we will praise Jesus as the glorious, victorious King. The next day we will question His goodness, wisdom and love. We know Jesus doesn’t change – but our faith rises and falls like ocean waves. That is the whole story of Israel: fluctuating faith. And it was showcased in all of its stark tragedy that last week of Jesus’ earthly life.
The cry “Hosanna” is drawn from Psalm 118:
“Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!” Psalm 118:25-27
It is a festival Psalm – designed to be sung by Jewish pilgrims on the way to Jerusalem for a feast and while celebrating a feast together. Palm branches were used by the Jews during the feast of booths, when they would build temporary shelters for their time of worship together. The point of the Psalm and of the feasts was for the Jews to look to the Lord their God for help and hope and deliverance – rather than looking to other gods or other resources when they were in trouble.
And the donkey was no accident:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9
Powerful kings would ride into Jerusalem on proud horses, leading an army in full dress parade behind them. The often conquered city had experienced this hundreds of times. But Jesus did not come on a war horse, nor did he lead an army. Instead, he came riding a symbol of peace in fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy of how the Messianic King would come: humbly, on a donkey, bringing salvation.
Put the two symbols together: the palm branches and the donkey. Connect the messages of Psalm 118 and Zechariah 9.
- The true Messiah will come humbly, offering peace.
- Call on the Lord to save you! “Hosanna!”
Palm Sunday showcases the humble glory and patient mercy of our Messiah and Savior. It was a necessary step on Jesus’ road to the cross.
But it also raises in our hearts the expectation for Jesus’ next Triumphal entry – when he will ride a horse, not a donkey, and he will have an army behind him.
“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war… And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” Revelation 19:11-16
There is only One King who can save you – His name is Jesus.
This Sunday (April 10, 2022) we will study Romans 8:18-30, a beautiful and inspiring passage promising the restoration of the whole world and the glorification of God’s people.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us… the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God… And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” Romans 8:18,21,30
This Easter season let’s not let our faith fluctuate, rising and falling with the waves of our life circumstances. Rather, let’s fix our faith on the unchanging glory, the all sovereign power, the infinite mercy and grace of our great God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ! Our King has come, and He is coming back soon!