Palm Sunday

This coming Sunday, the 24th of March 2024, is Palm Sunday. A day celebrated by most Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox christian churches. Palm Sunday commemorates the day when Jesus entered Jerusalem and was greeted by people waving palm branches. This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. Jesus entered Jerusalem with the welcome of a King knowing full well that he would be tried, beaten and crucified. He knew full well what was before him but he entered willingly to be able to establish a route out of bondage into freedom for his people and take his rightful seat as King of the world.

This entrance into the city of Jerusalem is recorded by all four Gospel writers. As seen here in the Gospel according to Matthew in chapter 21 verses 1 - 11:

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet:

“Say to Daughter Zion,

    ‘See, your king comes to you,

gentle and riding on a donkey,

    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

A key line written there by Matthew is that this entrance was done this way to fulfil prophecy. The prophecy is found in Zechariah 9:9, where the prophet calls the people of the city to rejoice, celebrate, be happy, their King comes into the city gentle and riding on a donkey.

The key point of this season we are entering into is the inauguration of Jesus as King. Not just the knowledge of it to some but the moments that will establish him as such for the whole world and forever. This is massive for us to take note of because for many this week starting this Sunday till the next is about time off, travelling to see family, yes being at church more than on a normal week and finally getting to enjoy whatever you gave up for lent. Throw into that mix, hot cross buns, Easter egg hunts, school holidays and a pay day for many we can loose sight of this powerful week in human history.

Starting this Sunday we are beginning the celebration of the establishment of our conquering king. The one so gentle and humble that he rode into town on a donkey not on a stallion. The one who establishes his rule and reign through sacrifice, service and love not through domination and force like so many. The only king who lived the life, taught the teachings, died the death and rose again on the third day.

Jesus is the king we all need on so many levels but the biggest lesson we learn about his rule and reign on Palm Sunday is that he is a humble King, riding in on a donkey and determined to fulfil the promise of God to his people to reestablish communion between God and his people through a King. King Jesus didn’t shy away from what this connection repair required of him, rather he seems to enter resolute to establish that connection at any cost, even the cost of his life.

I hope that as you enjoy this time of rest, reflection, family and faith that you would take time to behold a King so gentle and humble that he doesn’t force himself on us but rather with a great patience he is lovingly sacrificing everything for us to be able to commune with him and God by the Holy Spirit. This Kings call echoes through the centuries to today saying ‘Come and follow me.’

May you and I choose this week and every week after that to do just that because if we do we can thrive in life and faith.