PALM SUNDAY

Suggested Readings:

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Philippians 2:5-11

Matthew 21:1-11

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Entry processions were important occasions. Generals, emperors, and kings made political statements by riding into a town as a conqueror or visiting dignitary. These events marked displays of Rome’s political and military might. Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey fulfills the words of Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice, greatly O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey,” while at the same time parodying the mindset of domination and political power. Jesus’ goal is not domination, intimidation, and greatness, but humble service.

As the crowd welcomed Jesus on that day, they shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Hosanna literally means “save us!” The people were begging for salvation but failed to understand what God’s plan for salvation was. Had Jesus thundered into Jerusalem on a warhorse, waving a sword and promising to vanquish the Romans, they would have understood and quickly followed. The violent overthrow of Roman domination was what they dreamed of and prayed for. A suffering Messiah was not on their radar.

In powerful and unequivocal language Paul demands that we are to humble ourselves as Christ humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death. This call to humility is antithetical to the expectations of those people gathered on that first Palm Sunday. Domination and intimidation they understood. Placing the needs of others above selfish concerns, humility, and service were not something they were expecting from their Messiah.

Reflect for a moment. Are we that much different? We may cry “Save us!” But we look in the wrong direction for the salvation for which we pray. When we blindly follow any human being who promises to heal all the woes of society, to save a nation or group of people we have placed our faith in a human being who cannot save us. When religious leaders promote violence against anyone or any group who does not accept their theological assertions, we are worshiping Pharisees; that group of religious hypocrites, willing to kill Jesus to promote their own agenda.

Today marks the beginning of Holy Week. It will be marked in our churches with the waving of palms and the retelling of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry. It needs to be a moment of personal and national repentance. We have only one Savior, Jesus the Christ. Christ who threw off the trappings of divinity and became God’s obedient servant. Jesus the Christ, the giver of life.