Palm Sunday 2022

Palm Sunday 2022

Matthew 21:1-11

Matthew 21:1–11 ESV

1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

1. Introduction – This week is a very important week in the church year.

a. Palm Sunday – the Triumphal Entry. It’s the beginning of a week of events that would reshape the trajectory of human history.

i. The beginning event in a week of events that would bring God’s salvation plan to its culmination.

1. It’s a scene we know well – we read it every year.

a. If you great up in church you’ve heard this story countless times…you probably remember the flannel graph of this story.

2. Jesus riding a donkey, shouts of Hosanna, Palm branches waving.

ii. But why did Jesus do this? What’s the significance of it all?

1. What’s with the donkey? What’s with the palm branches? What does “Hosanna” ever mean?

a. Why is there a contrast between the crowds that are mentioned?

b. Theses are some of the questions we are going to answer this morning?

i. A familiar scene yes, but that doesn’t mean it is insignificant.

1. Let’s read this familiar passage together and then we’ll dive right into this incredible scene.

a. Hear God’s Word – Matthew 21:1-11.

2. The Setting – To fully grasp what is going on in this scene, we have to fill in some context.

a. We’ll look at the historical setting – what was going on in those days…

i. We’ll look at what Jesus was doing in the days leading up to his entry into Jerusalem…

1. And we’ll look at the geography of this scene…Where did Jesus come from and how did he get into Jerusalem?

b. In general…what was going on? Well, if you are familiar with the stories in and around Easter, you know that it was Passover time.

i. And Passover was a major festival in the Jewish calendar. We learned when we studied Ruth that it was at the beginning of a new year…a new harvest season.

1. It was a time when Jews everywhere remembered the defining moment in their history…their exodus from slavery in Egypt. God saving them with a mighty hand and an out stretched arm.

a. At Passover time – Jew were required to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

ii. So as Jesus is making his way into Jerusalem, not only is he coming with his disciples and other followers…

1. But hundreds…even thousand of other people were making their way into Jerusalem at the same time.

c. Also, what we have to know is that Passover also heightened Jewish nationalism…it heightened Israel’s messianic anticipation.

i. They were looking for the long-promised descendant of David who could come and liberate the nation from the Romans…

1. And at Passover time – that zeal and anticipation increased.

a. It is into this setting…thousands of pilgrims and a frenzied crowd looking for a military leader…into this setting…one that was full of Jewish nationalistic pride…Jesus makes his entry into Jerusalem.

d. But even before his entry – Jesus was in the process of making himself known.

i. According to the traditional accounting of Jesus’ final week…Jesus and his followers arrived in Bethany on Friday afternoon…they celebrated the Sabbath there beginning at sundown Friday evening through to sundown Saturday evening.

1. That Saturday evening…remember Sabbath went from sundown to sundown…so there was still a little bit of day left on Saturday after the Sabbath was officially over.

a. On Easter weekend we know that the women went out Saturday night after the Sabbath was over to buy spices, but ran out of daylight and had to go to the tomb on Sunday morning instead.

ii. So on this Saturday night, the night before the triumphal entry, there was a celebration party among Jesus’ followers in the Jerusalem area.

1. It was at this Saturday night celebration that Mary anointed Jesus’ feet.

a. On Sunday morning, preparations were made for Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

e. And starting out from Bethany, Jesus made the 2 mile walk.

i. The road from Bethany to Jerusalem took Jesus on to the Mount of Olives…that rises 2600 feet above sea level.

1. The mountain lies to the east of Jerusalem…looking directly over the temple area.

a. Jesus descends from this mountain into Jerusalem…and as he makes this journey he reveals to people who he really is.

ii. For most of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus’ identity is shrouded in mystery. Scholars call it the messianic secret.

1. Throughout his earthly ministry – Jesus never reveals himself to be the Messiah…God’s chosen one.

a. He heals someone…and tells them not to tell anyone who did it.

i. He casts out demons…and he tells them to be quiet about his identity.

iii. And he does so for good reason. Because of the messianic expectations of Jesus’ day – if he revealed himself to the Messiah too early…

1. He knew the people would try to crown him king in their own way and in their own timing.

a. But Jesus wasn’t going to lead a military revolt. He wasn’t going to overthrow the occupying Romans…

i. He had much bigger plans…Jesus was going to subvert sins rule on earth.

iv. He was slowly but surely reversing sins curse on earth…and he was going to do so in his own timing and in his own way.

1. A cross…not a sword would be his weapon of choice.

f. The whole book of Matthew has Jesus shrouded in this messianic secret…until this day.

i. Until his Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. It is here that Jesus reveals himself with increasing clarity…Here, he let’s everyone know who he is and why he’s here.

3. The Scene – I’m not going to describe the scene in great detail for you…we did just read it after all.

a. But what I want to do is look at the various happenings in this scene.

i. What’s with the donkey? Actually, Matthew seems to mention 2!

1. What do the palm branches and spreading of coats represent?

i. What does Hosanna even mean? What’s the significance of it? Why was Jerusalem stirred?

1. And along the way we’ll look at the tension that is present.

b. So the donkey…or donkeys…let’s start there.

i. Matthew is the only gospel writer that mentions 2 donkeys…Mark, Luke and John all mention 1.

1. Is this a mistake? No – it actually helps prove the veracity of the events.

a. That Matthew, Mark, Luke and john don’t all tell the same stories in the same way with the same details, shows us the integrity of the gospel writers and the early church.

i. The authors were allowed to speak for themselves…each other stayed true to their own convictions, and the stayed true to the stories as they were told them by their sources.

ii. Matthew mentions 2 donkeys…why? Well, we know from other sources that this colt wasn’t broken in yet….it wasn’t trained…it had never been ridden before.

1. But that’s one that Jesus rides on…the colt…the untrained one…so why the other donkey?

a. Well, what better way to keep an untrained donkey calm then to bring its mother along form the trip?

i. The hoopla and cheering…the big crowd could have sent the young colt off…but it’s mama was there to keep it calm.

iii. But what’s the significance this donkey? Well, believe it or not, Jesus coming into Jerusalem on a donkey was a fulfillment of prophecy.

1. In the book of Zechariah – in 9:9, it is prophesied that the Messiah would come into Jerusalem on a donkey.

a. You see, it was customary for pilgrims to walk into Jerusalem for the Passover celebrations.

i. But Jesus, instead of walking like all the other pilgrims, takes this opportunity to make a statement about himself.

1. He rides on a donkey…not because he was tired and need a lift…

a. But because he was making a statement…

i. A messianic statement…a statement about his identity.

iv. Your see, a donkey was what kings rode on. But don’t kings ride on stallions, you might be thinking???

1. Yes, they do…when they are going off to battle. But herein lies the tension of this passage.

a. The people were longing for a Messiah…and at long last, it looks like he is here.

i. And he comes into Jerusalem amid pomp and circumstance…but he comes riding on donkey.

1. Not a wartime animal, but a symbol of peace.

b. Even though he is being hailed and trumpeted as the Son of David – a kingly title by the way…

i. But his mode of transportation shows the people what kind of king…what kind of Messiah he is.

2. He doesn’t come to terrify people or to drive away the big bad Romans…he comes in peace.

a. Alexander the Great rode into Jerusalem on a war horse…but Jesus comes in peace….riding a donkey.

i. Rev. 19:11 tells us that in the future Jesus will indeed ride a stallion, but not this day.

c. The palm branches were a sign of Jewish nationalistic pride.

i. When Juda Maccabeus rescued Jerusalem and the Temple from Antiochus Epiphanes, he too rode into Jerusalem amid much fanfare…and palm fronds were waved in that celebration too.

1. Jesus’ entrance is mimicking that entrance.

a. But there’s another scene where a king rides into Jerusalem on a donkey.

i. King David, after he defeated Absalom and returned victorious after exile…he rode into Jerusalem amid dancing and celebration and he rode on a donkey.

d. Jesus knew full well what he was doing that day…riding on a donkey into Jerusalem…and the people responded by welcoming him like the king they wanted.

i. And the acclaim of the crowds comes from their own expectation of what they wanted Jesus to be.

1. Hosanna – they shouted. Hosanna means save us now!

a. Save us now, Son of David, save us now, our king.

i. We see what you’re doing – we recognize all the signs you are giving us.

1. Save us from those dirty Romans.

a. Liberate us from this tyranny.

2. They were looking for…anticipating a Messiah who would come and save them.

a. But the salvation they wanted…and the salvation Jesus came to bring were wildly different from each other.

4. The Crowds – And Matthew writes that because of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem the whole city was stirred…why?

a. In order to understand that impact of this statement, we have to understand the political drama that is playing out here.

i. Think of the crowds that were present that day.

1. There were those who traveled with Jesus all the way from Galilee, where he did most of his ministry.

a. They knew Jesus, they knew who he was, and they were the ones celebrating his arrival.

ii. But the people of Jerusalem were largely ignorant of who Jesus was.

1. And to make matters worse – the Roman government had recently installed a Roman prefect to oversee Jerusalem.

a. Previously Judea had been ruled by a king – from the line of Herod…but that rule was over…and the Roman governor…Pilate was in charge.

i. That means that any mention of a Jewish king would have brought trouble from the Roman government.

1. And Rome only had one had of dealing with a potential uprising – brutality.

b. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem could be seen as bringing political instability to Jerusalem.

i. A Galilean king coming from the countryside…bringing instability and possible Roman aggression to the big city.

iii. But there was a third group present that day – as always there was the religious leaders.

1. Notice in verse 11 how the people introduce Jesus – “this is the prophet Jesus…”

a. The term prophet is a claim that implies divine authority.

i. He is a messenger from God. This coming – this entry into Jerusalem could not only be seen as a political threat to the Romans.

1. But also a religious threat to the authorities in the Temple…the Pharisees, the Sadducees and the whole Sanhedrin.

b. However, this wasn’t the first time Jerusalem was thrown into a tizzy because of Jesus.

i. At his birth, the Magi came to Herd and said, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews…”

1. And with that Herod…and all Jerusalem were greatly troubled. Herod didn’t take too kindly to those who wanted to usurp his throne.

a. The people of Jerusalem could see trouble coming – because of the political implications of Jesus’ entry…

i. Because of the people’s claim that he was the Son of David…a kingly title…

1. And the religious leaders were on edge because the people also said he was a prophet…which could interfere with their own ambitions.

5. Holy Week – And Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem kicked off a week of events that would forever change the world.

a. Yes, Jesus came into Jerusalem to save his people…but he didn’t come to save them from the Romans…he came to save them from their sins.

i. Yes, he came to overthrow tyranny that reigned on the earth.

1. But he wouldn’t do so by overthrowing governments and kings.

a. He would overthrow them by submitting to them…by dying at their hands and rising victoriously on the other side.

i. Yes, he came to be crowned king – but his coronation would include a crown of thorns and a cross.

b. Today is the beginning of a week that is rightfully called Holy Week.

i. It happens every year – and since it happens every year there is a danger that we become desensitized to all that happened.

1. So how can we guard against? How can we ensure that we celebrate the events of Holy Week and Easter weekend with the fervency and joy they deserve?

c. Well, one commentator I read this week developed a resource he calls “Walking with Jesus through Holy Week.”

i. He has taken all the events of this week and broken them down into Jesus’ daily activities.

1. Starting with Palm Sunday and ending with the resurrection next Sunday…

a. Each event is significant and leads us one step close to the cross and empty tomb.

ii. I have printed this guide off for you. This year, as we make our way through Holy Week…take the journey with Jesus.

1. We’ve started already today, Palm Sunday. Now journey with Jesus and disciples through the events of the rest of the week.

a. See what Jesus was up to on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday…join us on Thursday night for our Maundy Thursday service.

i. Come out to the Good Friday service Friday morning and be reminded of this great story.

1. Then join us next Sunday as we celebrate the resurrection.

iii. The author has all 4 Gospel accounts for each day.

1. You can read them all…or chose 1 Gospel writer and see how he describes the events of this week.

a. Then use another Gospel writer next year, and another the next, and another the next.

i. 4 Gospels writers = 4 years of journeying with Jesus through Holy Week.

d. This commentator lists 4 important functions that journeying with Jesus serves.

i. 4 ways walking with Jesus through Holy Week can impact our lives.

1. First – it grounds our faith in its historical context.

a. Our faith is built on rock solid events that Jesus performed in history.

2. Secondly – it can help us understand the disciples more clearly.

a. We can understand why they were frightened, why they ran away, why they locked themselves in a room.

i. They were grappling with how their miracle working leader could possibly be crucified.

3. Third – walking with Jesus through Holy Week impels us to more sincere worship.

a. And finally – it draws us into a more intimate relationship with Jesus as we see all that he did for us.

e. So pick up one of these guides on your way out today and begin walking with Jesus through the events of this incredible week.

i. And, Lord willing, we’ll meet back here next week to celebrate Jesus’ victory over death.