Praise and Surrender

The Christian Calendar is full of important dates and events in the life of Christ. Today (the fifth Sunday of Lent, for those who might be interested) is one we remember and commemorate Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem.

This is sometimes at least in Western churches called Passion Sunday, as it is the first Sunday of Holy Week, or the last week of Jesus’ ministry before the Crucifixion.

It is sometimes referred to as Black Sunday, or so it is recorded by some, probably pre-reformation England when it was still Catholic. It was called Black Sunday, due to the color of the black, dark blue, or dark violet ecclesiastical colors used in the services for the day.

Some have called it Branch Sunday due to the palm branches and fronds that were waved and placed in the path of Jesus that day.

We more often refer to it as Palm Sunday, which perhaps more clearly references the events of the day - When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, while the people spread coats and waved palm branches welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem.

It is celebrated the Sunday before Easter in both Eastern and Western church traditions.

The event is rife with both spiritual and political meaning that we may get into later.

It is so important an event that it was recorded by all four Gospels

Matthew 21:1-11.

Mark 11:1-10.

Luke 19:28-38.

John 12:12-18.

We are going to read John’s version and as time permits, may comment on the differences and similarities of the other three versions.

Lets Read:

John 12:12–18 KJV 1900

12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt. 16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. 17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. 18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

Hymns are a tremendous and powerful force of doctrinal and theological teaching.

They are words that are then attached to music giving a multisensory approach to ingraining thoughts, ideas and concepts into the mind, heart, and soul of individuals, at times without even recognizing it.

But hymns are a great aid and tool of worship and praise.

Jesus himself sang hymns

We are commanded to sing to the Lord in our heart and to encourage one another with hymns

A hymn (different than a spiritual song or Psalm which we might talk about at another time) is a song in praise of God

Many songs we put in our hymnal (a collection of hymns) are more Spiritual Songs than actual hymn - but again I digress.

But one great hymn that has been passed down to us and encapsulates this event is “All Glory Laud and Honor”

“All Glory Laud and Honor” is probably the oldest Easter hymn still commonly sung by Christians today.

This song of hope, praise and worship was composed in a dark prison cell by a man who knew he would never be free from its imposing and vicious grip.

Freedom was not something he thought he would ever experience again.

Theodulph of Orleans, born in Italy around 760 was of royal blood, and had quite a wealthy upbringing with all the benefits of education and a staff of servants.

One day after reading Jesus’ challenge to the rich young ruler, Theodulph gave up his money, property, and title and surrendered his life to the Lord’s service.

At twenty-one Thodulph migrated to a monastery in Florence, Italy and served the poor of that community.

His ministry and service caught the eye of one of the world’s most powerful men of that time, Charlemagne.

Charlemagne ordered Theodulph to come to his castle. At this meeting he was appointed the Bishop of Orleans in France.

He was affiliated with the ruling class, but devoted most of his time to the sick, orphans, the poor, and lost. - He became a bridge between the royal family and the country’s poor.

One historian writes:

“Because of Theodulph’s influence, Charlemagne took an interest in not just feeding the people of his kingdom but educating them. Under Theodulph’s guidance, priests across France set up schools devoted to teaching the children of poor families. For the first time, common people enjoyed a privilege once reserved for only the elite. Such was his status that Theodulph had only to ask, and the financing for God’s work was set in motion.”

All seemed good - and then Charlemagne died - and his son and successor King Louis The Pious was somewhat intimidated by the Bishop’s popularity and influence.

His solution to the problem was to charge Theodulph with treason and ordered him to spend the remainder of his days in prison.

Now in his fifties - he was unable to minister as he had - so he turned his love and care to those around him who had also lost their freedom.

His thoughts instead of focused upon the injustice of the King

he focused on the King of kings - and taking the powerful story of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem as his theme, he wrote a Palm Sunday hymn that has survived over

Some of our best hymns were originally written many centuries ago in the Latin language, and have been brought into our English hymnody by devout modern translators. In the year A. D. 820 Theodulph, the Bishop of Orleans, was imprisoned at Metz by King Louis, the Debonnaire, who was the son of Charlemagne. The Bishop had been falsely accused of disloyalty to his king, but he bore with patience his captivity and the ignominy brought upon him by suspicious gossipers.

While in prison his meditations were upon the King of kings, and, taking the beautiful story of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem as his theme, he wrote a Palm Sunday hymn that has survived the Christian Church some twelve hundred years.

It was translated into English in 1857 by John Mason Neale and you can find it in our Sing HIs Praise hymnal, hymn #63.

All glory, laud and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King, To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring: Thou art the King of Israel, Thou David’s royal Son, Who in the Lord’s name comest, The King and blessed One.

I love verse two:

The company of angels is praising you on high; and we with all creation in chorus make reply. The people of the Hebrews with palms before you went; our praise and prayer and anthems before you we present.

“An ancient tradition has it that the Bishop trained a chorus within the cloisters to sing his hymn with beautiful effect; and once they were singing it thus while King Louis and his court were passing on their way to the Cathedral. So enchanted was the king by its beauty that he commanded that the Bishop be released from his prison at once. The following year he died; but his church canonized him because of his preeminent piety. And today he is known as "Saint Theodulph."”

Adapted from: Price, Carl F, One Hundred and One Hymn Stories, Abingdon Press, 1923, HDM2308 and Collins, A. (2023). Stories Behind the Traditions and Songs of Easter. Zondervan.

We call it Palm Sunday and refer to it as the “Triumphal Entry” it was to be a highlight in Jewish history, instead it probably became one of the greatest disappointments in their history.

A day that held so much potential, and possibility was thrown away on the whim of fickle emotions and dashed dreams of imagination.

Skewed perceptions often produces poor decision making and regretfully, unforeseen consequences.

We find the Gospel writers are telling us more than just an interesting or good story - they are sharing some important and life changing truths with us.

Lets see if with the Holy Spirit’s help we can unpack some of them.

Notice first...

1. The Parade of Prophetic Proportions (John 12:12-13)

John 12:12–13 KJV 1900

12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

A. A Parade of Prophecies:

Many hundreds of years before - the chambers of Old Testament prophecy rang with words that no doubt thrilled, excited and confounded the wisest and most spiritual among them

Matthew was inspired by the Holy Spirit to point out that the appropriating of the Donkey and her Colt was all part of God’s great plan and he references one of these great passages in Matthew 21:5 with just a few English words, “Tell ye the daughter of Sion...”

Isaiah 62:11 KJV 1900

11 Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; Behold, his reward is with him, And his work before him.

Isaiah 62 is part of a section comprised of Isaiah 60-62 covering the prophecies of Israels return and restoration in the future. with a specific declaration of God’s intent for Zion:

Isaiah 62:1 “1 For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, Until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, And the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.”

In the last segment of Isaiah 62 we find Isaiah picking up the strands from all throughout his book “in an effort to call the people to take action to receive the promises God is making to them...

Namely: “They can be the righteous people of God, his “Holy People” of Isa 62:12 who will draw all nations to him.”

This prophecy adamantly declares their Savior is coming:

“Behold, thy salvation cometh”

It is interesting that previously Isaiah had equated him with “Sovereign Lord” or in KJV “Lord God” in Isaiah 40:10 “10 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, And his arm shall rule for him: Behold, his reward is with him, And his work before him.”

But that has now been switched with “salvation” or “Savior”

I find it interesting that Matthew only cites the first few beginning words of the prophecy while Revelation 22:12 cites the rest of the prophecy...

“12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

Matthew was seeing this fulfilled in part with Jesus’ journey from Bethany to Jerusalem on the back of the colt of a donkey.

John the Revelator saw sees this as still to come - that the Lord is coming and will reward according to works. The context of Revelation is that of judgement - the accounting of our lives before our creator.

While Isiah’s prophecy rang out in the Temple and through the years of Babylonian exile, and echoed in the newly constructed temple and through the Synagogues that began to spring up - for nearly 200 years

God was working on a new word, a new promise, a new prophecy

Both Matthew and John quote this new Word from the mouth and pen of the visionary and messianic focused prophet Zechariah.

It began to ring through the towns and villages - it no doubt would have gone viral - had there been such a thing back then

It was a message filled with Messianic hope and expectation to that post-exilic and freshly returned people.

Zechariah 9:9 KJV 1900

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; Lowly, and riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Oh there was a tremendous string of prophecies that accompanied Jesus, the disciples, and the people that day.

But it wasn’t just a parade of prophecies - there was also a ...

B. A Parade of People:

John tells us that the parade of people came from three sources:

John 12:12 tells us that a pilgrim throng approached Jerusalem from more distant areas. Probably mostly from Galilee where they had witnessed a large part of Jesus’ ministry. They came from Jerusalem to meet Jesus as he was coming.

In John 12:17 the crowd that had been in Bethany had either witnessed first hand or heard as the news buzzed through that community of the raising of Lazarus. And they also testified to the authenticity of the miracle.

In John 12:18 a large Jerusalem crowd flocked out of the city to see the one who had raised Lazarus.

We also know thee were at least two donkeys, Jesus riding on the colt, the twelve disciples taking that journey

I see it beginning with just a few, and perhaps as the word began to get out - there are always those who love to broadcast the news - “spill the tea” is the latest idiom

I can imagine several ran on to Jerusalem telling the people Jesus sent for a donkey and her colt - they are coming, this is the day get ready Our King is here. and the energy, excitement and anticipation began to grow.

Matthew states

There was a parade of prophecies, a parade of people, and we also see a...

C. A Parade of Praise

John 12:13 ...Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

Luke 19:38 ... Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.”

Mark 11:9–10 ... Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.”

The crowd gathers not just for spectacle, but with expectancy.

They wave palms—symbols of victory and peace—

They’re shouting loudly “Hosanna,” which is a plea for salvation.

Oh I forgot some in the parade of people.…we are told in Luke 19:39–40 “39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.”

What a noise that must have been, what a praise service, what a day that could have been so glorious...

A parade of praise...

Not only should we notice the Parade of Prophetic Proportions - but I would also note that...

2. The Prophetic Proclamation Becomes A Present Performance.

A. Performance of Political Peace

Notice Jesus doesn’t come on a valiant steed or war horse - declaring war and blood shed

No it was a donkey - the colt of a donkey actually meekness and peace - he wasn’t there to take over the kingdoms of this world - that is still to come - he was there to take over the kingdoms of their hearts.

B. Performance of Pathetic Piety

For many there that day it was just a performance - I’m afraid sometimes all some people’s worship only goes that deep - just a performance

Just to do their due diligence, the emotional rush of it all, just to please people - so bro or sis so and so will still have confidence in them.

OH there were many great truths that Bro. Sammy tried to pound into our heads growing up - but I think one of the greatest and most helpful in my life was “BE YOURSELF”

Now he wasn’t touting the “whatever floats your boat” mentality or follow your heart philosophy - but he was telling us have your relationship with Jesus and let it be real don’t try to be like anybody else.

C. Performance of Pretend Pledge

I talked earlier about the different terms and titles given to the Sunday before Easter.

There is another one I want to share with you that I believe has great applicable significance for us today in 2025

We weren’t there to see Jesus coming down the road riding on the young donkey

But He is here - He is here in power and authority

He is here in Kingship and Lordship

He is here in Spirit and in Truth

One Pastor would refer to Palm Sunday as Coat Sunday

and he would arrange several styles of coats in the center aisle of the church.

At the start of his message he would hold up one… say a navy blue suit coat and he would say - “This first coat represents my career. It’s one of the best coats I have so I wear it when I preach”

Then he would go to the next one, a casual jacket - one that you might wear to a picnic or social event with friends - it represented his social life.

Then he would go on to the other various coats he had brought - each one representing some aspect of our lives

work

family

finances

leisure time

But something that is interesting is that in Jesus’ time people didn’t have a closet full of coats - they had one coat - typically only ONE COAT

It was used to keep them warm, it was used as a covering at night, it was used for identity, it was sometimes used to secure loans, it was one coat

If it got soiled and dirty or ruined they couldn’t run home and get a replacement, they might not even have the means to run to the market to buy a replacement.

And these people took their coats and laid them in the street - evrything that represented them

their work

Their families

their time

leisure

everything

They took that coat and laid it in the street for the donkeys to walk on

I know that a trip of that distance - some of those coats were soiled and dirty

But they willingly sacrificed it for the King

Their most valuable garment was given to honor Jesus

Look in your spiritual closet - is there some coat you are still leaving on a hanger closed up in the closet -

The reason I used the term “pretend pledge” is because after all of the excitement and emotional rush they grabbed their coats and went back to life as normal - except it could never be normal again

You are never the same after an encounter with Jesus and a call to surrender all to Him.

What better time than now to go through your spiritual closet and make sure Jesus has all of it to bring Him honor.

Idea for part two of this sermon...

The Problem of Unmet Expectations

Expository Outlines on the Gospel of John 25. Surrendering to Christ (John 12:1–26)

THE SAVIOR—vv. 12–19

A. Praise—vv. 12–13. Note the welcome given to Christ. He was praised.

B. Prophecy—vv. 14–16. Fulfillment of

The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia Plants

Palm Sunday will always remind Christians of the palm branches brought to symbolize victory and thus honor Christ entering Jerusalem (

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Triumphal Entry

TRIUMPHAL ENTRY Term used for the entry of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem on the Sunday prior to His crucifixion. Due to the fact that palm branches were placed before Him, this day is often called “Palm Sunday.” The event is recorded in

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Triumphal Entry

(Matthew ties the account closely to Zechariah’s prophesy [9:9], mentioning the colt and its mother.) It is possible that Christ rode the donkey for the more difficult part of the journey, transferring to the colt upon actually entering Jerusalem. There a large crowd applauded Him, spreading the road with their garments and with branches. They acknowledged Him as the son of David.

033 -- ALL GLORY LAUD AND HONOR -- Saint Theodulph,?-821

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volumes I–XV Branch Sunday

Branch Sunday

One of the medieval English names for Palm Sunday. The difficulty of procuring palms for that day’s ceremonies led to the substitution of boughs of yew, willow, or other native trees. The Sunday was often designated by the names of these trees, as “Yew Sunday” or by the general term “Branch Sunday”.

PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 10

They led the donkey and colt out, laid some of their clothes on them, and Jesus mounted. Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Matthew 21:7–8 (MSG)