Thursday
What happens on the Sunday before the crucifixion? If you’ve ever been a part of a Christian church the answer is clear… Palm Sunday.
A day of celebration, of joy, of waving palm branches. In the church that I’m serving… here in Youngsville, Palm Sunday is a great day of celebration. It was on Palm Sunday that ground was broken for the new church facility and it was a year later on Palm Sunday when the first worship service was held. Interestingly enough Palm Sunday was also the day when in my last church we broke ground to begin construction on an addition to the church.
Palm Sunday – a day of celebration. Jesus is rightly honored as he begins His final week. Special arrangements are made. Jesus will be riding on a donkey’s colt. The owner of the animal is more than willing to let Jesus use the animal. Either he was aware of who Jesus was and was willing to provide not questions asked, or special pre-arrangements had been made. But take note of the significance of the method of entry Jesus chooses to make. Up to this point Jesus keeps telling people not to reveal who He is. “Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.” MK 8:30. (Other similar citing’s: Mark 1:44; 3:12; 7:36; 9:9) But now, Jesus’ identity is to be revealed. In the Old Testament there are references to this event. In Zechariah 9:9, we read “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
This event would have been well known to the people of Jerusalem and the significance would not have been lost on them. So it looks like Jesus is now prepared to publicly reveal His identity as the Messiah. The humble servant riding on a donkey, not the conquering military leader. The people spread garments and palm branches as a form of tribute, a 1st century rolling out the red carpet.
In case you’ve ever wondered what Hosanna means – the literal translation means “O save” or “save now”! The shouts of the crowd would have reflected what was known as a “Hallel” or “Praise the Lord” psalm. Psalm 118 is an example of such a song of praise. (And you thought praise music started with our generation – ha!) Look at verses 24-26 of Psalm 118. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. O Lord, please help us. Save us. [Hosanna]; give us success. Blessed is the One who is comes in the name of the Lord, From the house of the Lord we bless you.
So Jesus has revealed who He is, without having to openly declare his Messiahship, which could be construed by the Pharisees as blasphemy. Jesus still has work to do, and being arrested at this point would not allow Him to do all he needs to do in these last few days.
There are several other events that happen in this chapter, but I think I’ll stop for today and just raise my Palm branch in celebration of the One who is the Messiah, the One who Saves!
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hallel!!
Pastor Kathy