Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 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. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 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!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Today is Palm Sunday! I ask you, do you know what that means? Did your church read from THIS text of God’s word? Did you discuss with your children the important of this day? Did you, yourself, take time to reflect and meditate on this very significant part of what Christians call their Easter celebration?
My guess would be, no to all or most of these questions.
You see, there would be no Easter celebration, no resurrection Sunday without this final week. It all starts with Jesus making his entrance to begin his preparations for the Passover sacrifice. Nobody knows it yet.
Let me first start by saying that Christians are so busy trying so hard not be religious that they have thrown the baby out with the bathwater. The Christian church has stripped it’s traditions down so much that all of our Christian history is slowly being forgotten and all the critical parts of understanding the cross are missed.
In order to get to the cross, we need to understand who it is that died for us. Who is this Christ, the son of God?
This section of Matthew is what is called the “triumphal entry.” Jesus, until this point, has been teaching, healing, delivering, and calling disciples to follow him. The crowds are recognizing that this man is “the one”. They are looking for a king who will rule and reign. They are hyped up and ready to put him on the throne, if you will. They were looking for a king.
Jesus is the King. He is the King of all kings. He is just not the kind of king they are hoping for. Jesus has no intentions of ruling in a way they have imagined in their minds. Jesus didn’t plan on ruling an earthly kingdom. Jesus didn’t come to save them from their political status. Jesus came to save them from their sin.
Jesus is headed to Jerusalem for his final week. As he enters, riding on a donkey, the people are worshipping him. They are so excited and laying down palm branches while they shout “hosanna!”
The origin, or root of this word, hosanna, comes from two words. The first is, “oh save” and the second is an exclamation of adoration.
To be sure, Jesus will save them and he is worthy of all our adoration. This triumphal entry had to take place. It was prophesied by the Prophet Zachariah.
“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.
The donkey symbolizes a peaceful, humble king. The palm branches symbolize triumph and victory. Jesus humbled himself unto death. A death he didn’t deserve on a cross for our sins, not his own. He spoke not a word. He willingly laid down his life without a fight. Then he died and triumphed over death with he rose from the grave. He had victory over sin and death.
But let’s not rush to next week, yet. Let’s focus on the triumphal entry.
Jesus enters the city with a purpose and a plan. The people are worshiping him for what they want from him and what they expect him to do. At this point they all believe he will do what they desire and and are hoping for the outcome they imagined for themselves.
In less than a week they will all find out that Jesus doesn’t operate according to their will. We learn from Scripture, in the Garden of Gethsemane, that Jesus lives according to the will of his Father. “Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me – nevertheless, not My will but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42.
In less than five days, some if not most of these same people, will reject him and shout “crucify him!” They will become angry and reject him as the King he wants to be. Because he doesn’t do what they want, they will turn away. Even his disciples will deny him, sell him out, and abandon him at his most difficult hour.
So what can we learn from this passage?
The triumphal entry is necessary. Jesus will and does enter our life.
He has come and will return as king of Kings. Not the king we imagine but the King we need.
Jesus doesn’t do what we want. He isn’t busy doing our will. He always has and always will do the will of his Father.
Are you like these followers? Are you into Jesus for what you can get out of him? Are you worshipping him because he is giving you what you desire? How do you respond when life isn’t working out the way you want? Do you get angry with God when his answer is no? Do you still shout hosanna when he rejects your will and instead does the will of his Father? Do you serve God for the King he is? Where have you incorrectly defined Christ? Will you serve him when what you want isn’t what he wants from you?
Prepare your hearts for the final week. As you look forward to Resurrection Sunday, spend some time in prayer and allow Jesus to enter your heart as the true King of kings. Give him space to come and rule as he sees fit. Worship him this week and shout to him, “Hosanna to the Son of David! He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Matthew 21:9.