Palm Sunday: What Does It Mean?

Jesus is worth obeying.

TRANSITION

Matthew 21 continues from verse 6 to verses 7-8.

HONOR JESUS

READ Matthew 21:7-8 (ESV):

“They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and He sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.”

I want to share one other verse with you this morning as we think about verses 7-8.

READ 2 Kings 9:13 (ESV)

“Then in haste every man of them took his garment and put it under him on the bare steps, and they blew the trumpet and proclaimed, “Jehu is king.”

The cultures of the Bible are a little different from ours, but placing garments or other material underneath someone was meant to show honor and respect. I suppose it is the same as a young man and a young lady taking a stroll and coming to a puddle… because he wishes to appear chivalrous and honor the lady… he takes his coat and places it over the puddle so the lady does not get her shoes wet or muddy. Same thought. I have always wondered, though, what does the fellow do with his coat after?

Anyway, the disciples spread their cloaks on the donkey to honor Jesus and some in the crowds put their cloaks on the ground as a way to honor Jesus. Other people cut palm branches and spread them out on the ground. It was a sign of respect. It was a sign of their affection for Jesus as their king. When the crowds were looking at Jesus, they saw Someone worthy of honor and respect and royal authority.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The truth is you and I should honor Christ in everything we do and everything we say.

ILLUSTRATION… Christian Leaders Podcast (episode 300 with Franklin Graham)

I was listening to a podcast recently where Franklin Graham, Billy Graham’s son, was interviewed about faith and politics and the riot that happened in the capitol in January 2021. The interviewer asked Franklin Graham what would make a Christian believe they should storm into the capitol building, break laws, and endanger lives. Franklin Graham said without any hesitation that not one person who broke into the building that day was a Christian. Not one. He knew that because he saw the video and heard the audio of those in the building and every other word was ‘f-this’ and ‘f-that.’ He said, Christians don’t speak that way. He said because followers of Jesus don’t speak that way not one person who broke laws was a Christian.

Do you think that is true?

Our actions, our attitudes, and even to how we speak shows the world if we are a believer in Jesus. Our words matter. Honoring Jesus matters. The crowds honored Jesus with a demonstrative action covering the ground to show honor. In our day and age, language is quite coarse. We can definitely honor Jesus with our words.

TRANSITION

Matthew 21 continues from verses 7-8 to verse 9.

IT IS JESUS WHO SAVES

READ Matthew 21:9 (ESV):

“And the crowds that went before Him and that followed Him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”