PALM SUNDAY: The Kings entrance & purpose revealed

Palm Sunday is the Sunday of HOLY WEEK- or the week leading up to Easter. This week is filled with significance! I seriously urge you to rearrange your week so that you can make it to Maundy Thursday- so you can make it to the Good Friday service! When we involve ourselves with the events of this entire week, then gathering on Easter Sunday to celebrate His Resurrection is even greater!!

Palm Sunday marks the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, fulfilling prophecies as the Messiah, bringing hope and declaring His kingship. My prayer is that we can understand the significance of Palm Sunday helping us to reflect on our relationship with Jesus as King, welcoming Him into every aspect of our lives. It also serves as a reminder of the dual nature of Jesus’ kingship—humble yet powerful!

The first 4 books in the New Testament are Matthew Mark Luke and John- you will hear them referred to as the Gospels. These 4 books cover the life and ministry of Jesus Christ- Palm Sunday account is written in each of the 4 gospels which shows that it is a significant part of Jesus’ life and ministry! We are going to read from 3 of those books this morning on this account, each one pointing out great significance of that day. Lets start with Matthew-

1. Prophecy's Fulfillment of a humble King

Matthew 21:1-5 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.” 4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, 5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem,  ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’”

This act wasn't spontaneous; it was a fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, presenting Jesus as the humble King. In those times Kings would ride in on horses, some say war horses, displaying their power and rule, and desire to conquer. But not Jesus, not our King, not the Messiah, he came in riding on a young donkey that had never been ridden. Jesus came not to conquer but to save. Not to rule this world, but to reign and bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. Let us not miss this part of Palm Sunday! Especially when our lives are to be lived as a reflection of our King. Our lives and postures should never be ones of power or pride, but of humility and service.

Now lets move on to the Gospel of John-

2. Praise of the People and Power of Testimony

John 12:12-13, 17-19 The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors 13 took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. (PAUSE- A LARGE CROWD of Passover visitors-people would come yearly to this feast, from all parts of the nation; for all the males in Israel, were required to appear at this time; and though the women were not, still multitudes of them came, and the fame of Jesus might have brought even more; add to which, at this time that there was now a general expectation of the Messiah's coming, which brought the Jews from all parts of the world, to Jerusalem;) They shouted, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!” (Here where it says PRAISE GOD- the original translation states they shouted HOSANNA- which meant GOD SAVE US. Hail to the King of Isreal - God Save us- shouts filled the streets asking for the Messiah the King to save them. This will matter more later on.)

17 Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. (POWER OF TESTIMONY is great and powerful then, and is still great and powerful now!!) 18 That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. 19 Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!” (when our lives reflect the miraculous others take notice. Does it have to be raising the dead to be miraculous? NO Could it simply be that we are able to praise Him through the storms of life? YES Could it be that He provides for our needs in ways that dont make sense to others? YES Could it be that in the midst of a dark world we have peace even when we don’t understand? ABSOLUTELY! and does the enemy realize theres nothing he can do to stop those from following Jesus once they realize the truth about who He is and why He has come? YOU BETCHA!)

Jesus’ miracle-working power is both attractive and intimidating. Our witness, is a powerful story to share that can bring others to Christ. We spoke of this in our last series! We are to build relationships so that we can share our story of Christ in our lives, and so that we can bare witness to what Jesus has done for them also!

3. Proclamation Impossible to Silence

Luke 19:36-43 36 As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. 37 When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. 38 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” 39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” 40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

Church may we not be silenced! May we praise HIS name always! Through it all, the way we break through the hard times, the questions, the darkness is by praising our Father! By shouts of praise to the King. Not just when we feel like it, but especially when we dont!!!

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem

41 But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. 42 “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. 

What I find significant that we can relate to possibly -is back then there was much political and religious tension. Many hoped and welcomed his power and kingship because they believed it would be OF THIS WORLD. Many around us focus on the political tensions of our day, which causes much anger and fear, much division amongst one another. They had this back then as well, but as we will find out, Jesus did not come to reign in the way many had hoped for him to, and as Christians, we are to walk out His humility and power now in this day! May Palm Sunday hit us a little differently this year. As we celebrate King Jesus as we celebrate Holy Week, let us take time to reflect on who we truly represent!

As the worship team comes up-

I ask this morning- are we the ones praising the KING waiving the palm branches or are we the Pharisees in the crowd? Many of us may automatically say OH IM WAIVING THE PALM BRANCHES crying out in praise. Wonderful!! But now are we ones that will continue to praise Him knowing His Kingdom is not of this world and His ways are not our ways? Will you praise Him when He doesn’t do what you believe He should and How? Or are we the ones that waive the Palms and welcome Him..… until He doesn’t do what we think he aught to? Then our hearts go from praising him to stoning Him, and turning our backs on Him?

My prayer is that we all see the King of Kings for who He truly is! An all powerful all loving GOD that will reign and rule with all authority in love and truth - for His Kingdom - His way! May our hearts and ways be aligned with HIS. May peace fill our hearts for He rules in strength.