Palm Sunday: 2022

Introduction:

The Rider: Humble on a Donkey

Matthew 21:1-5 (NASB)

1 When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me. 3 “If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold your King is coming to you, Gentle, and humble on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ 

Zechariah 9:9 (NASB)

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Not only did the riding on the Donkey fulfill the prophecy in Zechariah, it also symbolized two very important things.

Donkeys were a special mount for the leaders of Israel.

Several of the judges and their children rose donkeys. Deborah’s song speaks on those who ride white donkeys and sit on rich carpets.

King David had donkeys to ride and was given some as a gift to ride.

Solomon even rode David’s donkey on his inauguration day.

1 Timothy 6:14–15 (ESV)

14 ...our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 ...he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

Revelation 19:16 (NASB)

16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

2. A King riding a donkey was seen as a symbol of peace.

This was in contrast to a king entering a city on a war horse.

Jesus entered Jerusalem on a Donkey, not a war horse, but when he comes again, He will be riding a war horse...

Isaiah 9:6 (NASB)

6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:14 (NASB)

14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

Jesus, being the humble rider on a donkey, fulfilled prophecy about the Messiah, symbolized He was the rightful King of Israel, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. And that He came into the world to bring us peace with God and the peace of God.

The Reception: “Hosanna”

Matthew 21:6-11 (NASB)

6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, 7 and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on the coats. 8 Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. 9 The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” 10 When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”

New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries: Updated Edition (5614 ὡσαννά (hōsanna))

5614. ὡσαννά hōsanna; of Heb. or. [3467, “yasha”] and [4994, “anna”]; save, we pray:—Hosanna(6).

Psalm 118:25–26 (NASB)

25 O Lord, do save, we beseech You; O Lord, we beseech You, do send prosperity! 26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.

Some worshipped.

(v. 8-9) 8 Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. 9 The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!”

The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Rev. 7:9 Palm Branches)

Palm branches were used on occasions of festivity (Leviticus 23:40, Nehemiah 8:15). They were regarded as tokens of joy and triumph. Kings and conquerors were welcomed by having palm branches strewn before them and waved in the air. Thus they were waved before the Messiah on the occasion of His entry into Jerusalem (John 12:13). Conquerors in Grecian games returned to their homes triumphantly waving palm branches in their hands. In the New Jerusalem, in Revelation 7, John sees the triumphant followers of Jesus with “palm branches in their hands.”

Some wondered.

(v. 10-11) 10 When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”

The Reversal: “Hoist Him Up”

Matthew 27:11–26 (NASB)

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” 12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. 13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” 14 And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed. 15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over. 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. 21 But the governor said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Crucify Him!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!” 24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” 25 And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

Peter’s commentary in these events:

Acts 3:13–14 (NASB)

13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you...

How did they go from “Hosanna” to “Hoist Him Up” in less than a week?

They went from crown Him to crucify Him in.

Why did they reverse direction?

(v. 20) 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death.

But the people can’t blame the chief priests and elders...

James 1:14 (NASB)

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

(v. 22-25) 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Crucify Him!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!” 24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” 25 And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!”

Matthew 21 - Jesus cleansed the temple and taught some parables

Matthew 22 - Jesus continued to teach in parables

Matthew 23 - Jesus condemned the Pharisees w/ the 8 woes

Matthew 24 - Jesus taught about His second coming

Matthew 25 - Jesus told people they needed to get ready for judgement

Matthew 26 - Chief priests and the elders plotted to kill Jesus, Jesus is betrayed and arrested

Most people have no problem with Jesus as the Prince of Peace.

But when Jesus deals with sin as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, then they have a problem.

Why?

John 3:19 (NASB)

19 “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

John 7:7 (NASB)

7 The world ... hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.

Memory Verse of the Week:

3 John 4 (NASB)

4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

Discussion Questions: (Matthew 21:1-11; Matthew 27:11-26)

Matthew 21:

If you were one of the two disciples, what might have you been thinking when Jesus issued this command? (v. 1-3) What are some commands that are difficult for you to follow or understand?

What was the primary reason Jesus had them go get the colt and why is that significant? (v. 4-5)

Why do you think the disciples did “just as Jesus instructed them”? (v. 6-7)

What does the triumphal entry tell us about Jesus? (v. 8-9) What does it tell us about the crowd?

What does initial reaction in the city tell us about the people? (v. 10-11)

Matthew 27:

Why do you think Jesus answered this question from Pilate but nothing the chief priests and elders asked? (v. 11-12)

What does Jesus giving no defense tell us about Him? (v. 13-14) When we are quick to defend ourselves, what might it say about us?

Pilate essentially had a popularity contest between Jesus and Barabbas. (v. 15-18) Why are such contests a mistake in the church?

What does the dream and the response tell you about Pilate’s wife? (v. 19)

How do you think the religious leaders persuaded the crowds? (v. 20)

What do you think Barabbas might have thought or felt about all of this? (v. 21)

Who was more responsible for the death of Jesus, the religious leaders, the people or someone else? (v. 22-23) Why?

Do you believe Pilate was really innocent of the blood of Jesus? (v. 24-26)

What else does the text teach us about God?

What else does the text teach us about ourselves?

Did anything else stick out to you in Matthew 21 or 27?