Palm Sunday

Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem on a colt and declared Himself the Messiah. Those who were there threw their clothes on the road, and some cut down palm branches to honor of Him. They shouted “Hosanna”, which means “save now”, a plea from an oppressed people in search of a savior, the promised Messiah. Matthew 21:1-11  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 fulfill 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.”

But, in the midst of those who shouted acclamation of praise, were the Zealots. The Religious Zealots were looking for a warlike, political Messiah, not one who arrived lowly on a donkey. The zealots did not understand that the lowly spirit that Jesus demonstrated was not a sign of weakness. Within Jesus was a power that was greater than earthly arms: the power of infinite yet humble wisdom and a love that is greater than anything else on earth. Being meek is not weakness, but power under perfect control. The Zealots could not conceive the way Jesus entered Jerusalem. How can this weak image of a man garner such adoration and claim as to be the Messiah? Because of their blindness and hardness of heart,  they later concocted a plan to arrest Jesus.

Today, we need the Messiah even more now, for such a time as this: a time in our country when there are those who feel oppressed and unfairly treated; a time when people are more discouraged, depressed, and dejected more than ever; a time when there are those with the spirit of the Zealots wreaking havoc in the midst of the people.  These menaces have the biggest mouths, the most influence, and easy access to the masses. Then there are those who use the power of arms, economic means, and the advantage of their majority status to control the few. How eerily similar is this behavior in our time to that of the people in the day of Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem? What we need today are more courageous people who are bold enough to lead with a lowly spirit, full of compassion and love that emanate from a servant’s heart.

So this Palm Sunday and the rest of Holy Week, let us be more like Christ as we are lead by the Holy Spirit.  This same Jesus, who entered Jerusalem on a donkey, is the same Jesus who will come again in all His splendor and might. Revelation 19:11-16: I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of His mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords. Are you ready and willing to receive the coming King? I will tell you, that this very moment, if you accept Him as your Lord and Savior, this same Jesus of Matthew and Revelation, He who Is and who Was and who Is to come, will reign in your hearts this very moment.

J R Tracey