The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:
“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
The King of Israel!”
Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:
“Fear not, daughter of Zion;
Behold, your King is coming,
Sitting on a donkey’s colt.”
John 12:12-15 (NKJV)
Imagine the electric crowd welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem. On this most holy Palm Sunday, the passion of man collided with the passion of God. The Jewish people had been waiting for this prophesied King to come with His everlasting Kingdom for a thousand years. Finally, the back of the oppressor would be broken, and they would be free from Roman rule. However, Jesus came not as a political revolutionary but as a suffering servant.
The cry of Hosanna! is a prayer of deliverance infused with ecstatic praise. The people shout to Jesus, “I beg You to save us! Please deliver us!” Little did they know He was answering that prayer, but not as they expected. Jesus’ triumphal entry was lowly, humble, and meek. He came not on a horse of war or a chariot of gold but instead on a young donkey. He came not to take life but instead to give of His own. As the people willingly and joyfully laid down palm branches welcoming their King, He too would lay down His own life to welcome all who call on His name into eternal life.
Perhaps, on this Palm Sunday, we too are blind and shortsighted to how He plans to save us. In our death and separation from God, He willingly added to Himself humanity to live a life we could not and die a death we deserved.
This is the entry to His passion.
This is the overflow of the heart of God into the human narrative.
This is the joy set before Him.
Today, may we rightly welcome and recognize King Jesus. He alone is worthy of our praise, and our salvation is found only in His hands.
Let’s close by praying Psalm 20 together.
“We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
…Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
…Save, Lord!
May the King answer us when we call.”
Psalm 20:5, 7, 9
