It’s time to leave the party at Lazarus’ house and go to Jerusalem for the Festival. Matthew, Mark and Luke tell us that Jesus asks a couple of his disciples to go into a village nearby and “borrow” a colt that has never been ridden before. Jesus knows all the details: where to find the colt, how they will recognize it (it’s tied up), what to say to the owner of the colt.
Jesus rides into Jerusalem on this colt, and people are basically proclaiming him to be their king.
In those days, a king would ride into town with great fanfare on a horse, surrounded by attendants and soldiers. Jesus had none of that. (It would be like a parade in Kumasi for the Asantehene: imagine Otumfuo Osei Tutu II riding a canary yellow motorcycle in a parade. It just doesn’t happen.)
But Jesus doesn’t mind. It’s just another one of his surprises: he shows us what kind of king he really is. He’s a humble king, trekking the corridor of death (remember, he knows he’s going to die this week).
While Jesus is riding into town, people are laying palm branches in his path. A strange custom in our way of thinking, until we learn that for the Jews the palm was a symbol of prosperity, beauty and victory.
Solomon’s temple, for example, made use of the palm motif to signify this (see I Kings 6:29, 32, 35; 7:36).
The actions of PALM SUNDAY are ironic on many levels: the people wanted him to rule their nation, but not their hearts. While the people were laying palm branches in his path, they were also shouting, “Hosanna!” which means “Save us!” Yet another irony: the people wanted him to save them, but they had no idea that it would take his death to do that.
Jesus didn’t want to save the people from the Romans: he wanted to save them from themselves. And he would die to make that happen.
After he arrived in Jerusalem, he went to the temple and looked around. Then, “since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.” (Mark 11:11).
I wonder what he thought as he lay down that night, the end of a long day, the end of a long month, the beginning of a long week…a week of many events…a week of action…a week of life and death.
PRAYER
“Lord, I bless you. You are beautiful. You are my Lord. Conquer my heart. Lord, make me truly humble of heart. Have mercy on me. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me and be my king. Where I am diseased of spirit, bring healing. Save me from myself. Through Christ Our Lord, AMEN”
REFLECTION
“In what ways can I genuinely ascribe prosperity, beauty and victory to Christ today? In what ways can I allow Christ to rule my heart?” What areas of my life do I need saving from? Am I willing to lay down my life, like Christ did?”
Digging Deeper
Try reading the different gospel accounts of Day 1, listed below:
Matthew 21:1-11
Mark 11:1-11
Luke 19:28-44
John 12:12-19
Spiritual Exercise For Today
Offer the areas of your life that you want Our Lord Jesus Christ to save you from as you pray and worship today.
May this Holy Week be meaningful for you.
