Anne's Message

What does the Encyclopedia tell us about Palm Sunday, Sunday of the Passion?

The World Book Encyclopedia says this about Palm Sunday:

Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week. It celebrates the story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where people spread palm branches and clothing before Him.

Encarta Online says this about Palm Sunday:

Palm Sunday, in Christianity, Sunday before Easter, so-called from the custom of blessing palms and of carrying portions of branches in procession, in commemoration of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The custom may be traced back at least to the 4th century.

On Palm Sunday—six days before Jesus' death—people lined the streets, waving palms and spreading their clothes before him as he entered Jerusalem on a donkey. The Jews knew that if a king wanted to approach a city in peace he would ride up to the gates on a young donkey instead of on a war horse. At this time, Jesus Christ was preparing for the first time during his ministry to be declared the King of Israel, the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of David, and he was going to enter Jerusalem, the city of peace, not as a warrior messiah who would physically conquer the Roman army, but as the prophetic Prince of Peace who would seek to conquer the spiritual hearts of the people.

It was the first-century equivalent of the street parades we put on for our various heroes. Jesus' popularity was at an all-time high; his teaching had astonishing power. Jesus had changed people's hearts and healed them physically. He'd even recently brought someone back from the dead!
Jesus was probably one of the most popular people in the entire Middle East.

But the people who lined the streets had different reason for waving those palms. Some were political activists; they'd heard Jesus had supernatural power, and they wanted him to use it to free Israel from Roman rule. Others had loved ones who were sick or dying. They waved branches, hoping for physical healing. Some were onlookers simply looking for something to do, while others were genuine followers who wished Jesus would establish himself as an earthly king.
Jesus was the only one in the parade who knew why he was going to Jerusalem—to die. He had a mission, while everyone else had an agenda.

When Jesus did not follow the people’s “agenda” they turned on him and cried out for his execution. And now his enemies could arrest him, torture and crucify him, not only with the acceptance of the people, but also with its approval.

It looked like the battle was lost, that his mission had meant nothing and he had failed miserably. This is what it looked and felt like for all.

Thankfully, the story doesn't end there. But what follows next—is most difficult of all, because it's the day between the promise and the fulfillment of the promise. Jesus had predicted he'd be crucified, and that he'd rise from the dead. He was dead all right. But would he come back?

On the third day, Jesus burst forth from the tomb exactly as he'd predicted. The guards at the tomb saw him, went back to tell the officials, "He's alive!" and were paid to keep quiet about it. Jesus appeared to more than 500 people—cynics as well as believers—before he ascended into heaven. There was no question about whether or not Jesus was resurrected.

Jesus had followed the plan. God’s plan!

Palm Sunday is a celebration of the triumph of God in Christ, not of our triumph as Christians. As always, in our worship we begin with our confession of sin and then receive the good news that we are forgiven by the love of God in Jesus the Christ. That is the triumph we celebrate on Palm Sunday. We sing "all glory, laud, and honor" and "sweet hosannas" to "our Redeemer King," knowing that if we have faith in God, live justly, and forgive those who have wronged us, then we will be forgiven the wrongs that we have done.

So what is the lesson or the lessons of Palm Sunday’s events?

Do we take Jesus into our hearts? Are we waving the branches of palms – the branches of joy? Are we inviting Jesus into our hearts, into our feelings and our thinking? Is there room for Him in our busy lives, in our families, in our daily toiling?

Is the answer a loud and resounding YES or is there a “but” attached? But only when I have time – only when I’m in need – only when I’m sick – only when I feel like it? In other ways: on MY terms!

Jesus lived a simple life, he served, was humble and obedient. He brought the message of love and forgiveness. He did not pass judgment and He treated every person with dignity and love. He taught us to love and to respect one another, He showed us to live through Him in God.
He saved us. But are we letting ourselves be saved? Think about the palm waving crowds praising Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem – the same crowd that later betrayed Him. How would we react in the same situation. Would our belief sustain us through such a hardship. Would we willingly give something up for someone else?

We know in our hearts what the answer is – what it should be – what it MUST be.

But maybe we just can’t belive in salvation and all we want to do is to grab what we can and go and hide it from everyone, so we don’t have to share it.

Palm Sunday teaches us to to follow Jesus – also through hardships. At the same time it must be clear that we may not be able to do so. We are none of us perfect. We are not without sin. We are not able to save the entire world. We can’t even save ourselves. Jesus can and He has gone before us. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He has bound the enemy. He is the salvation and will carry you and me forever and ever.

With his resurrection, Jesus proved he is the Son of God. And by what he did during his last week alive, but most importantly, on Easter Sunday, your life—and your eternity—can be changed forever.

God does not ask us to wallow in our mistakes, or deny ourselves the grace that abounds in human weakness. Let us take Christ at his word, and live the life of the loved, the loving, the forgiven and the forgiving.

Amen!