Matthew 21:6-8 (TPT)
Sot he two disciples went on ahead and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and her colt to him and placed their cloaks and prayer shawls on the colt, and Jesus rode on it. Then an exceptionally large crowd gathered and carpeted the road before him with their cloaks and prayer shawls.
Can you imagine what the scene must have looked like that day in Jerusalem? Jesus knew that He was only a few days from the crucifixion. The disciples had heard Him talk more and more about His impending death and resurrection, but they didn’t seem to know that things were going to happen in only a few days. The crowds that had gathered in Jerusalem played a role in both Christ’s triumphant entry, and His crucifixion.
In the days leading up to the Passover celebration, Jerusalem would have been buzzing. Passover was essentially the celebration of the New Year for the people of Israel. The festival went on for about a week, and involved religious celebrations, ceremonies, and much more.
One of the primary reasons for the response of the crowd on Palm Sunday was a prophecy in Zechariah 9:9-12. In those verses, the prophet talked about how the Messiah would ride into Jerusalem on a colt. The people who knew the Old Testament prophecies recognized what this meant. Unfortunately, the same crowd who praised Him called for His death only a few days later.
As we observe Palm Sunday, let’s look at four lessons that we can learn from the first Palm Sunday that still apply to our lives today.
Make Holy Week About Praise
Matthew 21:9 (TPT)
Jesus rode in the center of the procession-crowds going before him and crowds coming behind him, and they all shouted, “Bring the victory, Lord, Son of David! He is the blessed one sent from the Lord Yahweh! We celebrate with praises to God in the highest!”
The people of Jerusalem were overjoyed by Christ’s arrival. Having read and heard the prophecies about how the Messiah would arrive in Jerusalem, they recognized who He was. Keep in mind, by this point, Christ had been ministering in and around the area for more than three years. Many of those people already believed in Him, and this event allowed the ones who were still undecided to recognize that He really was who He said He was.
While we know that their praise quickly turned to hatred, the fact that they praised so passionately still provides us with a good lesson. They took their cloaks and shawls and threw them on the road because they didn’t even want the feet of the colt that carried the Messiah to touch the dirt. They worshipped with all they had.
Let your praise be that enthusiastic. No, Christ isn’t riding by you on a colt, but He is alive within you.
Forgive Me, God
Luke 19:41-42 (TPT)
When Jesus caught sight of the city, he burst into tears with uncontrollable weeping over Jerusalem, saying, “If only you would recognize that this day peace is within your reach! But you cannot see it!”
How much would you love the level of adoration that Christ received when He rode into Jerusalem. The throngs of people who poured out of their homes and businesses shouted “Hosanna!” That term was the highest verbal form of praise. While most mortal humans would let this sort of thing stroke their ego, Christ didn’t.
In these verses, Christ was moved with compassion for the people of Jerusalem. Why would He feel bad for the people who were praising Him? After all, He was God. He deserved their praise.
He was moved with compassion to the point of weeping for them because He knew their adoration would be short lived. He knew that they would turn on Him, reject Him, and even blaspheme. But He wanted to forgive them anyway.
Spend some time in self-reflection on Palm Sunday. God is just as eager to forgive us as He was the people who would call for His Son to be crucified.
God’s Timing is Perfect
Luke 19:42-44 (TPT)
saying, “If only you could recognize that this day peace is within your reach! But you cannot see it. For the day is soon coming when your enemies will surround you, hem you in on every side, and lay siege to you. They will crush you to pieces, and your children too! And they will leave your city totally destroyed. Since you would not recognize God’s day of visitation, you will see your day of devastation!”
The Jewish people had been waiting for more than 1,000 years for the Messiah. Unfortunately, they had a skewed idea of what the Messiah would do. They assumed that the Messiah would violently overthrow any government that persecuted them. They were waiting on a military leader who would come in, raise up a holy army, and change the order of society. That’s not what Christ came to do.
This is a powerful reminder that we must wait on God’s timing. He told His followers multiple times that His Kingdom was not of this world. Instead, His followers then (and now) must endure the hardships of life while we wait for His eternal Kingdom.
God’s timing is perfect. Even though He didn’t come to do what the people of Jerusalem expected, He had a better plan for them. He has one for you, too.
Giving to God
Mark 11:1-3 (TPT)
Now, as they were approaching Jerusalem, they arrived at the place of the stables near Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of his disciples ahead and said to them, “As soon as you enter the village ahead, you will find a donkey’s colt tied there that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it to me. And if anyone asks, ‘Why are you taking it?’ tell them, ‘The master needs it and will send it back to you soon.’”
The colt that was used for Christ’s entry into Jerusalem had a purpose. Remember, hundreds of years earlier, Zechariah said that Christ would ride into town on someone else’s colt that had never been ridden. However, that colt also had an owner. In the Bible, livestock was a form of currency, so the idea of going to someone’s stable, untying their colt, and taking it away was much more than borrowing an animal.
Before the disciples could ask about the logistics of the arrangement, Christ answered their question. He told them, “If anyone asks why you’re taking the colt, tell them that the Master needs it.” God had ordained this colt to be in that spot before Jesus ever arrived in town.
We don’t know if the owner of the colt asked any questions, but it’s safe to assume that he or she probably did. After all, the colt had an owner! However, whoever owned the colt didn’t hold back. Instead, they gave what they had to God for His use.
God wants us to give Him the best that we have. This goes beyond financial giving, and instead, speaks to the importance of worshiping God with every fiber of our being. On this Palm Sunday, give God the very best of you.
A Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to prepare myself to truly observe Holy Week. On this Palm Sunday, show me any areas in my life where I’m holding back. Forgive me for the things that I may have overlooked in my own life. Help me to wait on Your perfect timing so I don’t miss what you’re doing. I praise and worship You. In Christ’s name, Amen.