Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday brings lessons on the purpose of church buildings, faith, heavenly versus human authority, following through after saying yes, and producing fruit. Let’s review them in Matthew 21.

Palm Sunday

Christianity reveals God’s love. Pontius Pilate is a caricature of the failure of human governments. Let’s compare God’s wonderful government, the kingdom of heaven in the Palm Sunday parade from Matthew 21:1-11. Who set the parade up?

When Jesus and his disciples came near Jerusalem, he went to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives and sent two of them on ahead. He told them, “Go into the next village, where you will at once find a donkey and her colt. Untie the two donkeys and bring them to me. If anyone asks why you are doing this, just say, ‘The Lord needs them.’ He will at once let you have the donkeys.” (Matthew 21:1-3 CEV)

Why did this take place?

This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” (Matthew 21:4-5 ESV)

Does Jesus on a humble donkey contrast dramatically with those who ride gold coaches pulled by thoroughbreds or expensive limousines?

The disciples went and did just as Jesus directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt; then they laid their robes on them, and He sat on them. (Matthew 21:6-7 HCSB)

Worldly leadership is self-aggrandizing and arrogant. Godly leadership is self-effacing and humble. The colt symbolizes a new day for humanity, a change in leadership style. Those who change will join Jesus at his return. Did people think Jesus was a political Messiah who came to rescue Israel from Rome?

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. (Matthew 21:8 KJV)

Palm Sunday not only fulfilled prophecy but mocked Pontius Pilate, the governor of Roman Judea (which included historic Judea, Samaria and Idumea). Pilate insulted the Jews by hanging worship images of the emperor throughout Jerusalem and minted coins with both pagan and Jewish religious symbols. Jesus’ insulting parade could have obtained a death sentence for Him.

History shows Pilate marching into west Jerusalem as Christ entered from the north, a challenge to the government of the day. The world comes with a war horse. Heaven’s king came on a donkey’s colt. What did the people shout?

Now the crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9 NASB)

Who did they think Jesus was? What does this foreshadow?

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matthew 21:10-11 NIV)

When Jesus returns, He will be riding a white horse (Revelation 19:11-14). Passover pilgrims chanted "Hosanna" (“save now” Psalm 118:25). Let’s welcome the King of Peace into our lives.

Pontius Pilate is a caricature of human leadership failure. Palm Sunday symbolizes the humility of God’s government. Let’s be a part of the future. Join God’s kingdom today. Hosanna! Lord, save us now! You decide!

A House of Prayer

What abuse of the Temple did Jesus confront?

Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” (Matthew 21:12-13 NLT)

When criticized by religious authorities, what did Jesus say? What did even children recognize that some religious leaders did not understand?

The lame and the blind came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the son of David!” they were indignant, and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of children and nursing babies, you have perfected praise?’” He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and camped there. (Matthew 21:14-17 WEB cp. Psalm 8:2)

A Fig Tree

What did Jesus do to a fig tree?

Early in the morning as Jesus was returning to the city, he was hungry. He saw a fig tree along the road, but when he came to it, he found nothing except leaves. Then he said to it, “You’ll never again bear fruit!” The fig tree dried up at once. When the disciples saw it, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree dry up so fast?” they asked. (Matthew 21:18-20 CEB)