“Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord…”
Mark 11:9
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday was His last bold attempt to show the world Who He was … God’s Anointed One (Messiah), Son of God and Savior of the world. This was in fulfillment to Zechariah’s prophecy, “… See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey…
It was a festive occasion loaded with political overtones which would lead to His death on a cross for our sins. Historian Dr. Paul L. Maier calls it “A Royal Reception … the end of all privacy and safety, and the beginning of what would be an inevitable collision course with the priestly and political authorities in the land” (The Genuine Jesus, p.166).
While there are many themes which come to mind such as humility, kingship, authority, deliverance and triumph; I would like to focus on the fact of our Lord’s sheer courage. It was an extremely bold move for Jesus to move into enemy territory knowing it would lead to His physical and emotional persecution, vicarious suffering and execution.
In other words, Jesus stayed the course. Nothing could stop Him from fulfilling God’s purpose for His life. On another occasion, Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
Ralph S. Harlow captured this thought in an old hymn entitled “O Young and Fearless Prophet” (1931) which reads, in part:
“… We marvel at the purpose that held thee to thy course while ever on the hilltop before thee loomed the cross; thy steadfast face set forward where love and duty shone, while we betray so quickly and leave thee there alone.”
Palm Sunday Take-away:
Are we facing a difficult trial? An insurmountable challenge? An impossible situation? The message here is to stay the course. The same God who led Jesus through death on a cross and victory over the grave, will see us through.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we will “shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth and burst into jubilant song…” (Psalm 98:4) because our God lives! In Your strong name. Amen.