This event is reported by all four Gospel writers.
Even the writers of the Epistles, directly or indirectly, allude to this occurrence.
It was so prominent and symbolic that no biblical researcher, theologian, or historian interested in remarkable world events could have missed it.
That is also why this phenomenal global event will never go unnoticed and will forever attract the massive commemoration it deserves.
We call the celebration “Palm Sunday”, which is simpler to conceptualise than saying that the 3.5-kilometre trip from Mt Olives to Old Jerusalem was a triumphant entry.
Even though the people spread clothes and tree branches on the road, palm fronds were more beautiful and decorative, hence more memorable. Of course, this is all imagery, no matter the artefacts used in remembrance of the event.
The crowd
There will always be a crowd when something spectacular is taking place. A combination of genuine participants and temporary observers formed the crowd that sang the praises of Jesus.
Their first song was prophetic and laudable: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Hosanna means “save us, we pray” or “please deliver us”.
Considering the danger the human race was in, the call for deliverance was laudable indeed.
But the second “song”—“Crucify him, crucify him”—which the Jewish leaders and some of the people who were in the triumphant entry uttered, was ignoble and wicked.
So beware of delegates! Beware of voters! Be careful how you rely on those who sing your praise today. Tell this to politicians and church leaders!
Commitment
I believe that today’s believer understands the significance of the triumphant entry better than those who entered Jerusalem with Jesus.
But the question begs to be asked: Is it everybody who waves palm branches today on Palm Sunday who is committed to the Christ we are celebrating?
Certainly not. Therefore, what the Lord said to his followers, he says to us: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
The triumph
We call the trip “the triumphant entry”, but that journey and Jesus’ subsequent engagements were shrouded in sorrow and pain, not in triumph.
Even before he dismounted the donkey, the opposition Pharisees, like all opposition politicians everywhere, questioned his actions and undermined his efforts.
Jesus faced massive accusations thereafter, which bordered on alleged blasphemy and treason, seditious conspiracy, and insurrection.
Later, he endured assassination plots, threats, arrests, fake trials, molestations, severe beatings, and nailing to a cross.
Was this an idea of triumph?
Yet, out of these hardships emerged the victory of the resurrection.
Victory not over the Roman or any world empire but over the grip of Satan and sin.
Military leader
Everything about Jesus and his mission heavily disappointed the Jewish leaders.
From the time of Moses to John the Baptist, they waited for a military leader to conquer the Romans.
Military leaders rode massive horses and wielded swords and spears and dressed like Goliath, not a weakling prophet riding on a donkey’s colt and being hailed by ordinary street people.
To Jesus, the praise of the people was part of his declaration as the Messiah.
The Jewish leaders understood that too well, which was why they labelled the procession and the people’s proclamation a blasphemy.
As the convoy entered Jerusalem, Jesus knew what nobody else did. He knew he was not a warrior-king but a humble servant who was going to offer himself as the ultimate sacrifice to save humanity.
But the Jews mistook who their enemy really was.
The real enemy was not Rome but Satan and everything evil, and the war was not the clash of human titans but against spiritual evil powers.
Jesus didn’t come as a military general to conquer earthly kingdoms but as the Saviour to deliver people from eternal slavery.
Therefore, the weapons of that warfare could not be carnal or human but spiritual.
Spiritual renewal
Today, the Lord’s mission continues to be undermined by those who undervalue his greatness and supremacy.
For example, some well-meaning Christian groups question the need to commemorate Good Friday and Easter since, as they say, we are not expressly requested to do so.
My response is that neither are we instructed not to commemorate the event.
As long as it doesn’t contravene any instructions, we are at liberty to celebrate it.
Any event that reminds us of what Jesus has done to liberate us is worth commemorating, such as his birth, his ministry, and the events leading to his crucifixion and resurrection.
Celebrating these events revives our faith, deepens our commitment, and increases our appreciation.
This should be our motive, which, like Lent, calls for spiritual renewal and true worship.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh