Palm Sunday

Bible Texts

For a full account of the events of this day, see Matthew 21:1–11, Mark 11:1–11, Luke 19:28–44, John 12:9–19.

THE PROBLEM OF PALM SUNDAY

Jonathan Parnell

For centuries, the church has memorialized the first day of Holy Week as Palm Sunday because of the palm branches and cloaks that the people spread out before Jesus as he entered Jerusalem.

The Gospel writers tell us a crowd gathered, gushing with excitement, and lined the road in front of Jesus as he slowly rode into the city. As he made his way, one step at a time by the beast of burden on which he sat, a sort of carpet was being sewn together ahead of him. Fresh, green palm branches, presumably picked from nearby trees, and thick, worn clothing, likely from the backs of the crowd, formed a tapestry of endearment toward Israel’s long-awaited Messiah.

And according to the Pharisees, this was a problem.

What the People Said

But actually, it wasn’t the palm branches that were the problem so much as what the people were saying.

Luke tells us that as Jesus entered Jerusalem the people began rejoicing and praising God, shouting, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38).

Some Pharisees try to get Jesus to make the crowd stop. They ask him to rebuke the people for what they’re saying—the whole “Blessed is the King” bit.
The Pharisees get it, you see. This isn’t just any phrase.

This is the kind of welcome reserved for Israel’s Savior.
It’s a phrase found in the Hebrew Scriptures, going back to Psalm 118, a psalm that rejoices in the Lord’s triumph. By verse 22 of this psalm, the rejected stone has become the “cornerstone” (Ps. 118:22). This is a marvelous work— by God’s doing—which then launches the day of salvation (Ps. 118:23–24). This day of salvation is the long-anticipated deliverance that Israel thought might never come. But it will, it does, and Psalm 118:25 captures the hope: “Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!”

Now this salvation and success is nothing generic. It will come through a person—the Messiah of God—the one sent to rescue his people. So goes the shout, in the psalm, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Ps. 118:26).

Without doubt, this rambling crowd in Jerusalem, taking its cues from Psalm 118, is declaring Jesus to be the Messiah. That’s why the Pharisees tell Jesus to stop the madness. Do you hear what they are saying? They think you’re the Messiah come to save us. Tell them to shut up.

Jesus doesn’t stop them, though. He says, instead, that if the people weren’t saying it, then the rocks themselves would cry out. Of course, Jesus is the Messiah. He has come to Jerusalem to save his people.

And according to the crowd, this was a problem.

What the People Saw

But actually, it wasn’t the salvation part that was the problem so much as the way Jesus would bring salvation.

The people wanted salvation and success, remember. Which means, they wanted the Messiah to march into the city and do hard business with Rome. They wanted to be free from Gentile oppression, even if by force, even if by threats and plagues and a split sea, as they recounted so well in their history. They wanted another exodus, one that expelled the Romans.

Instead, what they got by Friday morning was a bloodied has-been, a man in Roman custody, rejected by their own leaders, standing next to an infamous criminal called Barabbas. They wanted an incomparable king, but they would see a beaten blasphemer. Or so they thought.

The sounds of the crowd this Palm Sunday would later be betrayed by the sounds of another crowd later that week. “Blessed is he!” would soon become “crucify him!” For this reason, there is something nauseating about today.

We read of the response to Jesus, but because we know the story, we’re aware that this thrilled welcome doesn’t have the final say, at least not when it comes to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

And as we feel the short-sighted joy of Sunday’s words, their ineffective enthusiasm, we can’t help but hear the railing that comes on Friday.

If we could listen in on these crowds, we’d hear our shouts along with theirs. We’d hear our praise, and then, by Friday, ashamed, we’d hear our mocking voice “call out among the scoffers.” At some point in our lives, we’ve been part of both crowds. Maybe we would have praised him, but at some point we too have mocked.

It is not the righteous, after all, whom Jesus came to save, but sinners—like us.

Copyright www.desiringgod.org

Source : Your Sorrow Will Turn To Joy

Palm Sunday Song

A Prayer for Palm Sunday

Lord Jesus,

On this Palm Sunday morning, we’re overwhelmed with your humility, sovereignty and your generosity. What other king would mount the lowly foal of a donkey to the conquer the warriors and war-horses of darkness? What other king could break the battle bow and the backbone of all warfare by his own brokenness on a cross?

     What other king could replace the politics of tyranny with a dominion of peace? What other king would offer his life and death for the redemption and restoration of rebels, fools and idolaters, like us? What other king could possibly transform prisoners of sin, death and “waterless pits” into prisoners of hope?

     Jesus, you are that king, none other can be found. Only you can make us eternal prisoners of living hope. Indeed, who is the king of glory? It is you, Lord Jesus, and only you. Who is the king of grace? It is you, Lord Jesus, and only you. Who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords? It is you, Lord Jesus, and only you.

     We rejoice greatly today for you have come to us righteous and having salvation, and you’re coming again to finish making all things new. Fill our hearts this Holy Week with your presence. Overwhelm us with your love. May your cross and your crown continue to free us from all other imprisonments that we may live as prisoners of hope and agents of your redemption. So very Amen, we pray, in your glorious and grace-filled name.

Copyright : Scotty Smith. The Gospel Coalition.