The next day a large crowd was in Jerusalem for Passover. When they heard that Jesus was coming for the festival, they took palm branches and went out to greet him. They shouted, “Hooray! God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the King of Israel!” Jesus found a donkey and rode on it, just as the Scriptures say, “People of Jerusalem, don’t be afraid! Your King is now coming, and he is riding on a donkey.” At first, Jesus’ disciples did not understand. But after he had been given his glory, they remembered all this. Everything had happened exactly as the Scriptures said it would. A crowd had come to meet Jesus because they had seen him call Lazarus out of the tomb. They kept talking about him and this miracle. But the Pharisees said to each other, “There is nothing that can be done! Everyone in the world is following Jesus.” (John 12:12-19)
In our Restoration Movement heritage, we are not quick to give religious meaning to specific days. Many others in the religious world today will recognize Palm Sunday with a reenactment of the event, with palm fronds being waved as they enter the sanctuary. The name “Palm Sunday” comes from the account above, which is found in all four gospels. This day is regarded by many worldwide as the beginning of holy week – the week leading up to the crucifixion of Christ.
Palm branches were used to lay in the road in front of a victorious leader that is riding into town. This event in the life of Jesus is a bittersweet reminder of several truths.
It is a reminder of the greeting that Jesus always deserved. He truly was the Messiah who deserved to be welcomed into town with a shot of victory and adoration.
It is a reminder of the rejection that Jesus did not deserve, but received. However, the reality is spoken in no uncertain terms in the first chapter of John’s gospel. “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:11-13, CSV)
It is a reminder of God’s foreknowledge, fulfilling the prophecy of long ago. Matthew’s account reminds us that Jesus coming into the city on a colt is a matter of prophecy (Zechariah 9). It was not an accident that the words of Zachariah were fulfilled, bu tit was a demonstration of God’s foreknowledge and dependability.
It is a bitter reminder of the murderous intentions of the Jewish leaders to kill Jesus.
It is a glorious reminder of his resurrection, and the coming that we yet await on that great day!
– John Dobbs
