Passion Week: Palm Sunday

“And when He had said these things, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.”—Luke 19:28

This was the day of His arrival in Jerusalem. Everything about His ministry would culminate this week. He knew death awaited Him. He had already told His disciples of His suffering. He had set His face to go to Jerusalem and now He was here. The journey was nearing the end and there was much yet to do in the coming days.

Jerusalem had been His destination all along and He knew He would die there, as He said:

“Nevertheless, I must go on My way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem”—Luke 13:33.

As He waited outside Bethany, He told His disciples to get a young donkey for Him to ride on (Matthew 21:2-7). The disciples did as they were told, bringing the donkey and the colt, and placing their cloaks on the animals’ backs, and then Jesus sat on them as He rode into Jersusalem.

The crowd had gathered to see Him, spreading their cloaks on the road, while others had cut palm branches (a symbol of Jewish nationalism, a bit like waving an American flag at a parade) and spread them along the road. As He rode into the city, the crowds were shouting,  

“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”—Matthew 21:9.  

“Hosanna” meant “save now” which was what they expected Jesus to do. Both Matthew (Matthew 21:5) and John (John 12:15) interpret the triumphal entry in light of Zechariah 9:9:

“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

As God’s Messiah, the crowds thought that He was the King who would rid Jerusalem of the dreaded Romans. But they misunderstood His rule. He came to save, yes, not as a triumphant military king, but as the suffering servant. He had come to save us from our sin by dying—the liberation would come spiritually through His death and resurrection, and then physically by His Second Coming.

Not one of God’s prophecies will become void. All will come to pass. As we begin Holy Week, take some time to prepare yourself. Jesus was welcomed by a crowd of praise, but would end the week with the same crowds calling for His death. But this was how God ordained it. He came to die so that we might live. Let us follow His example by humbling ourselves this week. Let’s pause to remember His life, humility, and sacrifice for our sins, and thank Him for it. Amen.