Palm Sunday
Self-helpism crept into the church in sermons. Historically, the scripture was proclaimed and people responded. If we are always trying to extract principles and points to apply to our life we run the risk of losing the beauty of the story and the power of the proclamation.
Bad interpretations to avoid:
We have spiritual authority to take stuff in “the name of Jesus.” NO!
Because Jesus rode into town on the foal of a donkey, God intends for us to only drive new vehicles and if we don’t then our faith is small. NO!
We often mistakenly assume that all of these events just happen to Jesus vs everything being strategic both in the moment and in everything leading up to this event that load it with meaning.
Two miracles leading up to the triumphal entry: Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11) At this point Jesus is never without a crowd. The Pharisees have decided enough is enough and are planning to kill him. Jesus lays low in Ephraim and then on his way back to Jerusalem he heads back through Jericho to Bethany. (Matthew 20:29-34) Jesus heals two blind men.
“Son of David” weird because Jesus is the son of Joseph. This is a reference to Jesus’ ancestry. They are applying to Jesus prophecies about who the next great king of Israel will be. 2 Sam 7:16, Jeremiah 23:5-6 These and a dozen more are Messianic prophecies.
This phrase only appears six times in the Gospels and four of the six are during the triumphal entry. The other two are Matthew and Luke’s telling if this healing of the blind men. No one else has called him that till now. This is the first time in his ministry that Jesus doesn’t try to put a lid on people declaring who he really is.
Significance of the physical objects involved:
Colt of a donkey- if the king comes on his war horse it is to intimidate and reprimand. If he comes in a donkey it is in peace.
Coats- this is part of the inauguration ceremony dating back to Jehu.
Palm branches- 1 & 2 Macabees tells the history of the pagan empire being thrown off and freeing Israel and palm branches were waived. They symbolized political liberation.
The crowds are knowingly proclaiming that Jesus is their Messiah King.
Words- “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” Psalm 118:19-27 They are quoting this Psalm that apply to Yahweh to Jesus. They don’t even recognize what they are proclaiming. Save us = Hosanna
He will save them from so much more than political oppression. He is not liberating them from the Roman war machine, but from death, hell, and the grave.
During the 400 years between Old and New Testament the tradition of the Psalm of the day was implemented. Every day of the week had a specific Psalm. On this day, Sunday, it was Psalm 24. This was read by the religious leaders just before Jesus rides in on a colt.