Palm Sunday (5)

Matthew 21:1–11 NIV84

1 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, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, 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, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 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!” 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.”

Today we are entering what Christians consider to be the most important (or perhaps second most important week) in history. One could argue that the week of creation was the most important because it was then that God called all things into existence. Holy week can also be considered the most important because it was during this week that Jesus saved fallen creation and ushered in a new covenant between God and man.

Holy week was a week of promise and a week of expectations. We will hear repeatedly the phrase: “This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet.” Palm Sunday begins with that phrase as we review the very familiar events of that day.

It seems to start normally. Jesus and his disciples were approaching Jerusalem for the annual celebration of the Passover. How did Jesus normally travel from place to place? He walked — even on water on one occasion. But usually when traveling by sea he would take a boat. I think when we imagine how the pilgrims entered Jerusalem most of them would have been on foot but also some on camels, horseback, or in a cart. On this occasion Jesus would ride in on a donkey which was not normal because he would have to borrow a donkey to do this.

Was this prearranged or a display of Jesus’ omniscience? Both possibilities are valid.

Why go out of character and ride on a borrowed donkey for this?

This had been foretold by the prophet Zechariah.

What was the significance of riding on a donkey? (research) Was it a sign of humility or royalty?)

Here every word and phrase is weighty. So it is with the statement that “your King comes.” For one thing, he comes to claim and acknowledge them as his people. He does not wait for them to come to him. He does not wait to observe whether they have first met his stern demands or fulfilled his harsh conditions, only then to grant them a token of his favor. Moreover, when he comes, he comes to pour out blessings on them, no matter how undeserving they may be. This thought of a King who comes in grace also lies in the proclamation that the King “comes to you.” He is coming for your highest, eternal good, for your salvation.

“Gentle and riding on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

We are used to “meek” instead of “gentle.” But “meek” has come to have an unfavorable meaning in the ears of many. They associate the adjective with someone who lacks will and spirit, with a “wimp” or a “Mr. Milquetoast,” if you please. But that does not fit our Lord Jesus at all. He was “gentle” or “humble” by an act of his own will. He who could rebuke storms, drive out demons, walk unscathed through a mob of murderous enemies, and raise the dead—this very Jesus renounced the use of his unlimited divine power in order to carry out his mission as the Christ. (Philippians 2:7, 8) If we may quote our own poetry:

“He came, not clothed in majesty

Or power, as suits His deity.

In lowly state He walked, till He

In dying set the captives free.”

Jesus would “proclaim peace to the nations,” Zechariah had foretold. (9:10) His mission as a peace-king shut out the use of force, as Jesus told Pilate a few days later. (John 18:36, 37) He would redeem a people for himself by abstaining from the use of force, yes, by patiently, uncomplainingly allowing injustice and violence to be done to himself. Then he would win the hearts of men for himself by the truth, the message of his atoning sacrifice. He would do all that out of a heart filled with grace toward sinners.

Jesus gave visible, symbolic expression to this truth by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. The hymn writer has caught this perfectly in the words:

“Ride on, ride on, in majesty!

In lowly pomp ride on to die”

Franzmann, W. H. (1998). Bible history commentary: New Testament (electronic ed., pp. 603–604). WELS Board for Parish Education.

On this day (as he often did), Jesus stood out in the crowd. He was not just another person going into a crowded city for the Passover Festival. He was a very popular celebrity and recently his popularity had increased as a result of the raising of Lazarus from the dead (proof passage). The crowds had great expectations when Jesus was around. What did they expect?

Teaching about the kingdom of God.

Miracles (Even Herod hoped to see one).

But today there was something more. Many must have anticipated that by intentionally fulfilling a Messianic prophecy by riding into Zion on a donkey that Jesus was going to publicly fulfill some other Messianic prophecies. They expressed their anticipation by crowding around Jesus, paving the way with their cloaks, waving palm branches, and shouting. Matthew 21:9–11 (NIV84)

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!” 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.”

Reminder that Jesus was more well known in the northern province of Galilee but that now he was in the capital of Judah and the anticipation that he had come to restore the fortunes to Israel.

There is some question as to what happens next.

Does Jesus clear the temple on Palm Sunday as Matthew seems to indicate or does he do it on Monday as Mark tells us? (research) Luke’s Gospel seem ambiguous.

Regardless of the exact timeline, Jesus’ clearing the temple seems to indicate that he is about to take action against the status quo and that he is ushering in a new aspect of the people ‘s religious practices.

Explore for a moment or two what could have happened versus what did happen and why?

Possibility: Political champion. This was not God’s plan.

Reality: Condemned criminal.

Why? Because Jesus humbly allowed himself to be betrayed, arrested, falsely condemned and crucified. He knew that the way to save the world was not by saving a small province from the hands of the Roman tyrants but by offering his body as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.

See Hebrews and St. Paul on this and perhaps Peter as well.

Romans 3:21–26 NIV84

21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Hebrews 10:11–17 NIV

11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16 “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” 17 Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

St.Paul would refer to this in Philippians.

Philippians 2:5–11 NIV84

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Results.

Our sins would be paid for.

Jesus would be exalted.

We are given an example to follow.