A Crown Of Thorns - 3 Truths About Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is a significant day in the Christian calendar that marks the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. It is celebrated the week before Easter and initiates the start of what many churches refer to as "Holy Week" or "Passion Week". This is the last week of Jesus's life and we commemorate His momentous entrance as the Savior and King.
In the biblical account, as recorded in John 12:12-16, a great crowd had gathered for the festival and they heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. They greeted Him with palm branches, a symbol of goodness and victory, and shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!"
1.“Hosanna! Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name Of The Lord”
The term "Hosanna" is derived from the Hebrew saying ‘yasha na’ (yaw-shaw naw) which is a plea for salvation meaning ‘Save now we pray.’ The crowd was essentially hailing Jesus as their King, expecting Him to bring deliverance from their current hardships. Their anticipation reflected in their chants of "Hosanna" - “Save us now”.
As per the customs of the ancient world, the act of laying down branches was a royal welcome to a king or a war hero. The crowd extended this royal treatment to Jesus, recognizing Him as the much-awaited son of David, the King they had been waiting for.
Jesus, however, had a different plan of salvation. He came riding on a donkey, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy.
““Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.””
2. Do Not Be Afraid
Jesus's entry into Jerusalem is a poignant reminder of His ultimate sacrifice for humanity. He was about to endure the crucifixion, to lay down His life for us. In John 12:15, Jesus quoted Zechariah 9:9 but added, “Do not be afraid”. The phrase "Do not be afraid" or "fear not" appears 365 times in the Bible, one for each day of the year, signifying a powerful command from Jesus to trust in Him and His plan.
3. Not As We Expected - Why A Donkey?
The question arises, why did Jesus choose to ride on a donkey, especially a young colt? As per the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9-10, Jesus was destined to ride in on a donkey. But beyond fulfilling prophecy, there were deeper meanings to this act.
A donkey, unlike a horse, senses danger and stubbornly refuses to proceed towards it. This could be the reason why the mother donkey accompanied the young colt. On the other hand, a horse would charge headfirst into danger. The choice of a donkey over a horse then symbolizes caution and wisdom over brashness and bravado.
A donkey is also a symbol of peace, not war. This is in stark contrast to military leaders who rode horses that were 2-3 hands higher than the soldiers. Jesus, by choosing a donkey, positioned himself as a peaceful leader, not a war-mongering king.
When Jesus was being who the people wanted, they celebrated with a parade of palms. When He was who they needed Him to be (a Savior), they gave Him a crown of thorns.
As we enter into the Holy Week, let's focus on worshiping our Lord, thanking Him for the gift of His sacrifice, and celebrating the power of the Resurrection.
Where would you have been on that first Palm Sunday? Among the disciples who welcomed Him—or among the skeptical crowds? It’s easy to condemn those who condemned Jesus—but would you have acted any differently?
In this Holy Week, may God direct our thoughts and attention towards what matters most, Jesus Christ our King...Let's not allow any distractions to deviate us from the real meaning of this Holy Week. Let's immerse ourselves in the grace that comes from acknowledging the sacrifice and the new life found in Him alone.
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