On this Palm Sunday, let’s discover another reason for Jesus’ death.
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ grand entry into Jerusalem.
It’s mentioned in all 4 gospels: Matt 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-38; John 12:12-15.
Text: Matthew 21:1-11
21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 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. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “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.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.9 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!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Jesus was relatively unknown in Jerusalem)
Background to this event
• 5 days before Jesus’ death
• Lazarus has just been raised from the dead (a few days ago)
• The day before, Jesus had a celebratory meal with Lazarus, Martha and Mary, at which Mary anointed Jesus with ointment.
• Jesus’ popularity was at an all-time high because of Lazarus being raised from the dead.
• The religious leaders, jealous of Jesus’ popularity, hated him more than ever and tried to kill him and Lazarus.
The Donkey and the Colt
“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. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
Jesus, as Lord, has the right to whatever His followers own.
The Colt
Was a real animal. Jesus wasn’t the leader of a false colt!
Was borrowed and then returned (Mark 11:3)
Had never been ridden before (Luke 19:30)
Was ridden by Jesus with its mother alongside.
Was a statement of Jesus’ humility – Jesus the Servant.
Government officials would usually ride donkeys for civic duties. A military procession would use horses or chariots. But Jesus rode on a donkey’s colt.
This is Jesus the Servant in action. It was also a declaration by Jesus because of the people’s expectations of him.
The Expectation of the People
This is five days before Passover, the Jewish Feast that celebrated God’s deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. The crowd’s expectation was for King Jesus (another Moses) to lead them against the Romans and bring deliverance for Israel and the ushering in of the kingdom of God.
The spreading of garments and waving & spreading palm branches was an act of paying royal homage. During the procession, the people shouted the words to Psalm 118:25-27, one psalm in The Great Hallal (Ps 111-118), the Psalms of praise that were used extensively at Passover.
Hosanna!
Lord, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
27 The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
Hosanna means “save now” or “save, I beg you.”
This was the people’s expectation. Save us now, Jesus. Delivery us from the Romans. Establish your kingdom on earth and restore Israel. And Jesus says, “No.”
He had already taught the people that his kingdom was not of this world. Salvation at this time was not to be with military might, political power or geographical location. Salvation was to be internal – freedom from the inside out. That was Jesus’ mission right from the start…
Luke 4:18-19, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
Jesus purpose was not to bring freedom from Roman rule but rather freedom within, so that “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
Many in Israel missed the Messiah because he came in an unlikely way with an unexpected message. He came as Jesus the servant not the all-conquering king. Some people today miss the Messiah as well because Jesus is not what they’re expecting:
• A Messiah who will deliver from all suffering.
• A Messiah who will immediately meet every need.
• A Messiah who backs a particular political party.
• A Messiah who supports MY opinion on every subject.
• A Messiah who has nothing to do with certain types of people
But, if we’re looking to Jesus to be any of these things we will be sorely disappointed! Jesus lived and died as a servant to his followers that they too should serve. (Cf. Matthew 20:28; John 13:1-17).
Jesus’ final teaching to his disciples was to wash their feet and then tell them to go and do likewise, to adopt the role of servant.
John 13:14-15, If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
Christians, and the churches we belong to, are to walk in the footsteps of our Lord and Teacher, Jesus the servant.
The church was never meant to be in control or in charge. The church works best when we’re on the edges of society serving others, particularly those on the margins.
Consider Paul’s hymn (Philippians 2)
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place.
Walk in the footsteps of Jesus the Servant! Be like him!
Discussion Questions
Imagine if Jesus brought one of your relatives (or dearest friends) back from the dead. Discuss your feelings and how you’d celebrate. Also, who would you like that to be and why?
Discuss: “Jesus, as Lord, has the right to whatever His followers own.”
Some people miss the Messiah because Jesus is not what they’re expecting. Have you ever had false expectations of Jesus? What were they? How did you overcome them?
Read and reflect on John 13:1-16. How can we follow Jesus’ example of servanthood? What could that look like in daily life?
Discuss: “The church was never meant to be in control or in charge. The church works best when we’re on the edges of society serving others, particularly those on the margins.”
Read and discuss Paul’s hymn (Philippians 2:5-9). What does it mean to us, in practical terms, to “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus”?
Jesus purpose was not to bring freedom from Roman rule but rather freedom within, so that “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36). Are there areas in your life where you need to experience inner freedom? If you’re comfortable to do so, share these with your group and then pray for one another.
In your own time read the four gospel accounts of the first Palm Sunday: Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-38; John 12:12-15. What stands out to you?