Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, commemorating the historical event of the Lord Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. This event is also referred to as The Triumphal Entry.
In the historical setting here – a great crowed had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. When they heard that Jesus was making his way into the city, many rushed out to see and honor him. They were shouting, “Hosanna!” (The term is a transliteration of a Hebrew word that means “give salvation now). “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” And they shouted, “Blessed is the King of Israel!”
At this point, many people recognized that the Lord Jesus was in fact the promised Messiah who would liberate Israel and establish His Kingdom Forever. This event was prophesied centuries ago in the Old Testament (Zech. 9:9). The people here are seeing the fulfillment of this very prophecy unfold right before their very eyes.
Did you ever stop and ponder, “Why palm branches? Why not olive branches, fig leaves, or pine needles?” Well here’s why – because palm branches were used in celebrations of great victories.
The apostle John was given a remarkable glimpse into heaven – let’s take a look.
(Re 7:9-10) After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Do you see it? They’re holding palm branches in victory because Salvation belongs to God and the Lamb. Thus, the people were laying palm branches in Messiah’s path as a sign of Reverence. Why? Because he is the King of Israel! They had the words of Isaiah the prophet ringing in their ears:
Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever…
The people saw Isaiah’s prophecy of a “Conquering King” but missed Isaiah’s prophesy of Messiah as 1st a suffering servant to die on the cross, the Lamb of God to redeem his people. Let’s take a look:
Isa 53:3-6 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Praise God for Christ’s crucifixion, burial, and resurrection from the grave and ascension into heaven. Jesus won victory over Satan Jesus conquered death, Jesus is the Victor! As Paul writes:
1Cor. 15: 54 (b.) “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
As one Puritan writer put it, “The Death of Death in the Death of Christ.”
Christ is coming back again. Only this time as King Of Kings and Lord or Lords” Again we look to John’s Revelation.
(NIV) 19:11 a. I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.
Have you invited Christ into your life to be your Savior? And are you living for Him?