Palm Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday, the triumphal entry by Jesus into Jerusalem. This is the official start of what many have referred to as “Passion Week.” Jesus knew this was the beginning of the end, for within in days He would be hanging on a cross. His earthly ministry was coming to a halt.

However, willingly He rode on a donkey into the city He loved, Jerusalem, but soon this same city would demand His death. In Zachariah 9, about 450 years before Christ, he prophesied a king would ride on a donkey. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

According to Matthew 21, as Jesus rode on the donkey, the people honored Him, “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!" Please note, the reference to “Son of David,” meant they were calling Him Messiah. They knew the Messiah would be from the lineage of David. However, there is so much here in this one verse. The word “Hosanna” actually means “Save us.” Yes, my friend, only God saves. What we see unfold in Matthew was prophesied in Psalm 118, “25 Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD.”

It is my understanding that in the ancient

eastern society, when a King rode on a donkey, it symbolized peace. However, when Jesus returns, He will be in a white horse, which symbolizes war.

Jesus rode into Jerusalem as a man of peace willing to pay the price of my sin and yours. Some did recognize Christ as Savior that first Palm Sunday. They knew He could save their souls from the throngs of this world, others did not, much like today. Let this Palm Sunday speak to you as never before. Honor the Lord with your worship. Cry out to Him as many did some two thousand years ago, “Save us, we pray, oh Lord!”