Hopefully making theology simpler to understand! (2 Corinthians 1:12)

Happy Palm Sunday!

Let’s talk about the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

The disciples went and did just as Jesus directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt; then they laid their clothes on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their clothes on the road; others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. Then the crowds who went ahead of him and those who followed shouted: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in an uproar, saying, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Matthew 21:6-11, CSB

We call it the Triumphal Entry, but consider the facts:

• Kings traditionally come riding in on horses
• City leaders come to greet the king
• The road is typically prepared before the king arrives or at least before he rides in.
• The people do not call Jesus the king (but they were probably wishing so!)

Now, let’s deal with these, in reverse order:

• We know Jesus is the King of kings, but He did not come as the conquering king in His first coming. He frequently flipped expectations around, making people not understand His mission.
  • He came as the Prophet promised by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-22) and the Priest who could take away our sin (Hebrews 10:1-22)
• The crowds gave a modified leveling of the road, with their cloaks and palm branches.
  • They expect Him to bring peace, shouting “Hosanna!”
  • Hosanna now is an exclamation of praise, but they were pleading for salvation. “Please, save us!”
  • He came to offer a different salvation, but keep in mind many of these people join the crowd later, screaming, “Crucify him!”
• The city leaders and visitors questioned who this is.
  • He is declared a Prophet, but, again, many of these are people who later cry, “Crucify!”
• Jesus will ride in on a horse when He returns, but instead of merely salvation (the already saved will be with Him!), He will come in judgment. (Revelation 19:11-16)

Jesus triumphal entry was really a humble entry, as the humble servant who came to take away our sins. He did many authoritative things, but that will be discussed later!

It is true that He deserved the praise.

Let us ensure we worship rightly, seeking to know our Savior and Lord rightly, not with our assumptions and unbiblical (or barely biblical) understandings of who Jesus is. It becomes too easy to turn on each other, which is turning on our Lord. (Acts 9:4-5; Matthew 25:31-46)

Be ready to correct, but be gentle and compassionate. We all have worries and fears we work through, just like Jews under Roman occupation desiring salvation from the emperor and corrupt leaders. Be patient with each other, knowing we are all struggling through trying to seek our God, and we all fail and fall short at times.

But know our Lord has come and calls us to peace with each other (Romans 12; 2 Corinthians 5) until His true Triumphal Entry at the end of this age.