The seven-day period from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, for centuries has been the Christian ‘Holy Week.’
While the traditions added over the centuries were full of symbolism,
the allegory included in the palms, processions, prayers, pageantry and
programs all point to the stark reality of the coming of Jesus.
The coming of Jesus into Jerusalem on what we now know as
‘Palm Sunday’ is one of the unique events recorded in all four Gospels:
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The reason
is because it is a pivotal event that clearly illustrated the Jesus was the
fulfillment of the prophecies of the coming King and Messiah. For three years, Jesus had been preaching,
teaching and healing throughout Judea and into Samaria. Many had come to believe that he was the
Messiah however just as many had their doubts.
The prophecies in the scriptures are much more clearly
understood in hindsight. Jesus rode
into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday on a donkey. A donkey is mentioned in Zechariah 9:9 as
the means by which the coming King of Zion comes into Jerusalem.
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter of
Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is
he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
(Zechariah
9:9)
It’s interesting to note that this king comes humbly and
on a donkey rather than a horse, a mighty steed. Most Bible commentators note two important
reasons why Jesus rode in on a donkey.
First, a king or ruler coming in peace would often be depicted as riding
a donkey. This was a sign of humility
and is used in sacred scripture not only in this passage in Zechariah but also
in Genesis 49:10-11 also in reference to the coming King of Judah and in regard
to Deborah in Judges 5:10 and King David in 1 Kings 1:38-40
This Jesus however was a mystery to many, a man of
contrasts. Jesus had been hailed as a
miracle worker and great teacher and rabbi but now is being hailed as a
king. The streets of Jerusalem seem to
be open to receiving a King. The
disciples and others that had met and knew Jesus had been told to be quiet
about Him but now are almost encouraged to join in with the crowd to
acknowledge Jesus as both Messiah and King.
As I mentioned however, the scriptures are much more
clearly understood in hindsight. Many
of the people and undoubtedly the Pharisees and Sadducees knew the next verse
in Zechariah.
I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
and the war horse from
Jerusalem;
and the battle bow shall be cut off,
and he shall speak peace to
the nations;
his rule shall be from sea to sea,
and from the River to the
ends of the earth.
(Zechariah
9:10)
This Jesus to the Jews would be the ruler that would
break the chains of the Romans but in contrast Jesus had come to break the
chains of sin. The people of Jerusalem
were looking for an earthly ruler but Jesus had come to rule in the hearts and
minds of his followers. The people flock
to Jesus putting down palm branches and their cloaks to receive a King who they
hope would lead a revolt against the Roman occupiers and restore the kingdom of
Israel. When Jesus was arrested later
in the week, these same people would turn against him and cry out, “crucify
him”
So secondly, this Jesus, this man of contrasts, will fulfill the 10th
verse of Zechariah. Jesus we now know
will come again in glory. When he comes "every eye will see Him." He will be clothed in a robe, dipped in blood and the armies of heaven will be with Him (Rev. 19:110-16) No one knew
there would be this 2,000 year pause between verses nine and ten. Daniels seventieth week is still to be
fulfilled; all of the prophecies of the coming King and the Messianic rule over
all of the nations will be fulfilled.
Today, we continue to wait for the coming of the
Messiah. For those of us that are
waiting, it is known as the ‘blessed hope’.
Paul writes to Titus regarding this coming, while we wait for the
blessed hope--the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus
Christ.
Palm Sunday, the beginning of the triumphal reign of
Jesus Christ. Now after 2,000 years,
even closer to the ultimate fulfillment of the Kingdom of God.
