The Triumphal Entry (aka Palm Sunday) is the beginning of the passion week, according to the Christian calendar. It begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday. The Triumphal Entry is a significant event in the life of our Lord, as it is a clear declaration of his Messiahship. Up to this point, Jesus has kept his identity as Messiah hidden, because no one could understand his mission as the suffering servant who had come to deliver his people from their sins. But now that he is only a few days away from his crucifixion, Jesus publicly declares that he is indeed the Messiah, the King of Israel, as he comes riding a colt into Jerusalem in fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy: “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” (Zech 9:9).
As he rides into Jerusalem, a large crowd that had come to celebrate the Feast of Passover, begins to spread their cloaks and palm branches on the ground, and to shout: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” By singing this part of Psalm 118, one of the Hallel Psalms that are sung during these special feasts, they are essentially declaring him to be their Messiah and King. But sadly, their praise of him does not last long, as just a few days later, some of those in the crowd are calling for his crucifixion. This shows why our Lord Jesus would not fall for man’s praise, because he knew what was in the heart of man (cf. John 2:23-24). Matthew ends his account of the Triumphal Entry with Jesus cleansing the temple, healing the sick and receiving the praise of children. And the chief priests and scribes, instead of leading the praise to God for sending the Messiah, are indignant and demand of Jesus to silence the crowd. Their pride and love of power keep them from seeing and receiving Jesus as their Messiah
As you read this account in Matthew’s gospel, consider the following:
1) What are the implications to our lives as we receive Jesus as both a gentle and lowly Savior and a sovereign King? 2) What are some of the ways that we act like the crowd as we sing his praises on Sunday, and then deny him by our actions during the week? 3) How does the Triumphal Entry compare with his Second Coming that is described for us in Rev 19:11-16?
May the Lord help us to glory in our gentle and lowly Savior and to humbly submit to him as our King.
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