Palm Sunday – Jesus' Journey to Jerusalem

Palm Sunday – Jesus' Journey to Jerusalem. Matthew21:1-11+ Isaiah 50:4-9; Cock Lane 90417

Interests

I wonder what interests you have had in your life. Some possibly were or are long term hobbies or even a career, while others lasted a short while. What made the difference?

I have had various passing hobbies. At one time I enjoyed stamp collecting, but my interests changed. While at school I played the piano, practising regularly. I am now rather out of practice, and sadly don't play very often.

Some years ago I moved to a village where there was a new golf club. The club offered a good package for membership and lessons, so I had a go. It proved to be enjoyable but never really took off because I realised that playing golf was going to be time consuming and I had other things I wanted to prioritize.

I obviously had no life long commitment to any of these things.

Crowds

In the Gospel reading great crowds followed Jesus enthusiastically, but as He enters the city they disappear. Why? Was Jesus just a passing interest? Someone to follow when there was nothing better to do? Perhaps they saw Jesus through a lens of political liberation rather than one of spiritual change. If so they didn't see Him clearly. They certainly lost interest when things turned sour and Jesus failed to meet their expectations.

The Palm Sunday story is one of great celebration.

Jesus and His disciples were on their way up to Jerusalem for the passover feast. Lots of people were going the same way, so they had company as they journeyed. This was a joyful holiday. A time when the nation remembered how God had saved them from slavery in Egypt. So it was a happy crowd that left Jericho on the last stage of the journey to Jerusalem. They were drawn together by their common destination and their interest in being with Jesus. They listened to Him as they walked the 17 miles from Jericho to Jerusalem.

When they reached the top of the mount of Olives, they could see Jerusalem spread out before them.

Jesus stopped and sent two disciples to a nearby village to fetch a donkey and colt. It seemed like a planned action. But why? What was in Jesus' mind? He was used to walking long distances. He had no need to ride the rest of the way. They were only about 2 miles from Jerusalem and it was an easy walk down the hill into the city. So the donkey ride must have had another purpose.

Yes, it was the fulfilment of the Jewish prophesy that declared that the Messiah would come into Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, riding on a donkey. But more than that I think Jesus wanted to leave people with a picture they could not forget. A clear demonstration of who he was. Something they would remember after He had died, that would enable them to understand His true identity.

Jewish history records stories of kings riding on donkeys. On such occasions people put clothes on the ground for the donkey to pass over. A bit like the red carpet we put out for royalty and special dignitaries today.

Matthew wants us to know that Jesus is King. At the start of his gospel he tells the story of wise men coming to Jerusalem seeking a king. Since then the gospel stories have taken place in Galilee; now we are reaching the climax of Matthew's story. For the first time in this gospel Jesus is entering Jerusalem and he does so as a king.

The crowd seemed in no doubt as to what was happening. They were welcoming a king. Some threw their clothes in front of the animals, while others broke off small branches from trees to cover the ground. People led the way shouting, 'Hosanna to the Son of David'; 'Praise God for His salvation'. Others followed echoing the same joyful song. 'Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.' They grew excited as they anticipated a new king, who would free them from those currently ruling over them.

Jerusalem would have been heaving with people. The city normally had about 30,000 inhabitants, and there would have been at least 200,000 pilgrims for the feast. A record of the number of passover lambs killed a couple of years later suggests there could have been as many as 2.5 million people in the city and surrounding area for passover. So 200,000 is large but a conservative estimate.

Yet no one could have missed the noisy procession that came down the mount of Olives. John tells us that many people in the city heard and came out to meet the procession, waving palm branches, joining in the song. They were anxious to participate in the excitement of the occasion.

Matthew says that the city was 'moved.'(v10) He uses the Greek word for an earthquake. There was such a strong clash of beliefs as the joyful, faith filled crowd entered the city. Some declared Jesus to be a prophet; the Son of David; a king; others expressed uncertainty, asking 'Who is this?' while the authorities showed total disbelief and jealousy and plotted to kill Him.

It was as if an intellectual and spiritual earthquake hit the city as Jesus entered it.

The Passover festival celebrated the deliverance from Egypt and the crowd anticipated a repeat performance. A Messiah, who would deliver them from the Romans and restore self rule to Israel.

But on reaching Jerusalem they just melted away. Why did they not stay? Did they lose interest in Jesus?

Did they rushed off to find somewhere to stay for the feast? Or were they simply tired after the journey and wanting a siesta?

Did they think that a humble king on a donkey would be no match for the strong Roman presence that was in the city at festival time because of the vast number of people?

The large Roman fortress overlooked the temple area and was directly ahead of them as they entered the city. So perhaps they were surprised and dissappointed when Jesus ignored this symbol of Roman power and authority and turned into the Temple; the central symbol of God's power and authority.

Did they realise then that Jesus' intentions were different from their own illusions about Him? Or did they melt away because they were afraid? It was common knowledge that the religious leaders wanted to capture Jesus and he seemed to be walking straight into their trap as He entered the Temple. Would they arrest Him and all those following Him as well?

Did the people really believe that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah they had just proclaimed him to be?

Or were they just there because of the excitement of the moment? In five days many would shout for Jesus to be killed. Why was Jesus such a temporary passing interest for them? Why didn't they stand up for Him when it mattered?

They couldn't see or understand God's plan and purpose. What a contrast to Jesus who saw God's plan and its cost, but in love determined to do God's will whatever the cost.

So who do we think Jesus is? Let's be honest with ourselves. Do we see Him clearly? Is He someone we admire or someone we worship? Our current pin up or our Lord? Is He a good man or God? Is His death a children's story or reality?

Is our faith just for Sundays? Is it constant or temporary? Are we prepared to put the priorities and values of the Kingdom of God before our own?

Are we disappointed when Jesus turns in a different direction to the one we expected and wanted Him to go in? Do we still follow?

Do we want others to see Jesus clearly too? Are we prepared to do as He asked and be His witnesses?

There are many people in the UK today, who are interested to hear about Jesus. Lots of people, of many different faiths, or none, who are in need and are so grateful if you offer to pray for them.

People will stop and listen if we share our story with them. Many Christians need some encouragement; neighbours are waiting for us to invite them to church. Are we willing to look out for others and put them before ourselves?

It's not always easy to stand up for Jesus and share our faith, but I wonder what Jesus thinks when we don't mention that we know Him. Is He disappointed by our silence?

Martin Luther King said ' Our lives begin to end the day we remain silent on things that matter.'

Jesus was so different. He read the picture of events clearly. He went to Jerusalem because He was certain that God was calling Him to go. He knew that the task was going to be physically, mentally and spiritually costly. But as the passage in Isaiah reminded us He didn't run away. He allowed others to whip Him, hit and spit at Him. He didn't hide from shame and mockery. He was determined to do God's will whatever the cost. This was no passing enthusiasm. God was His focus; His reason for living. He had a clear vision; was prepared to speak out when people opposed God's purpose; He was completely committed to God's will and stayed the course.

As we come to communion let's remember that it wasn't easy for Jesus.

He wrestled with fear of the cross and recoiled from the thought of death. It wasn't what He wanted and may not have been how he initially saw His pathway; but He walked through the experiences of suffering; of being forsaken by God, and of death; so that salvation could come to us.

Love for God and Love for us was His total passion. How could He do it? How could He have such love?

Jesus knew God would help Him and He gained strength through prayer.

We too will find courage to face the difficulties and challenges of life as we wait with Jesus in prayer.

As we wait God will renew and strengthen us; giving us the courage to witness to Jesus and not remain silent; giving us the strength to stand unashamed and acknowledge Him as Lord; giving us the strength to be faithful whatever the cost.

Will we wait, or will we like the crowd go our own way?

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