Why Palm Sunday MattersThe Significance of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

 This article was first published in French at TSPG.

Mark 11:1-11, an account of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, provides a snapshot of a turning point in the life of Jesus. It not only marks the beginning of the last week of his life. But it also puts on display both his humility and his authority. It teaches us a timely message: 

 

Let us welcome with joy our Lord Jesus, for He is our Deliverer King.

 

Jesus Sends his Disciples from Bethany

In the opening scene of Mark 11, we find Jesus near Bethany, 2.5 km east of Jerusalem. The town was home to Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, and was likely Jesus’ base of operations in Judea. He sends two disciples to fetch him a donkey, with instructions as to its location and procurement. Is it a supernatural revelation that allows Jesus to know all these details? Or is the owner of this colt a member of the extended group of disciples? In any case, his instructions to his disciples imply that they would not be mistaken for two thieves.

 

Jesus Borrows a Donkey

The disciples find the colt just as their Lord had stated, and when its owner questions them, they give the password, "The Lord needs it.” This settles the matter. This simple act of obedience by an unnamed disciple gives us a model to follow in our own walk with Christ. Not only do we all face moments when we must surrender something valuable to him, but we also are likely to go unrecognized for our efforts. It matters little, as long as our Lord is glorified.

 

Jesus Rides Humbly on a Donkey

The disciples then throw their clothes on the colt for Jesus to ride on. In so doing, he fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9:

 

Be glad and rejoice, daughter of Zion!

Shout for joy, daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king comes to you;

He is righteous and victorious,

He is humble and mounted on a donkey,

On a donkey, the young of a donkey.

 

Oh, the humility and authority of Jesus! He has every right to come in power, on a white horse, brandishing a sword. Instead, in this one act, he embodies Philippians 2:5-7 and the character of his entire earthly ministry.

 

Jesus is Welcomed with Joy

Many spread out their clothes and branches on the road before him, in essence laying out a "red carpet" for a dignitary, or even paying homage to a king. Their anticipation and adoration beg the question, “Do we await Christ’s second coming as eagerly as this multitude welcomed his first?”

 

But who are these men and women so devoted to the Master? Verse 9 tells us of those who follow behind Jesus. These are pilgrims who accompanied Jesus from Galilee, such as the 12 apostles and the extended group of disciples. Picture the 70 evangelists Jesus sent out in Luke 10:1-23. Picture Mary Magdalene, Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, who travelled with and provided for Jesus and his disciples out of their means (Luke 8:1-3). Picture Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Picture Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome, who along with Mary Magdalene remain by Jesus side at the cross and bear witness to his resurrection (Mark 15:40, 47, 16:1). 

 

Verse 9 also tells us of those who come before him. These are pilgrims who come out to meet him from the city. Both groups alike have gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover, to commemorate Israel’s deliverance from the domination of a foreign king. The question must be ringing in their hearts: "How long, O God? How long will my enemy rise up against me?" (Psalm 13:2).

 

They shout "Hosanna!" Some commentators believe that this Hebrew term means, "Save us!" And this makes sense. But others believe that it means, "Be saved." Like when the British see their Queen passing by and they say, "God save the Queen!" (Hence the title of their national anthem). In Psalm 20:10, it is written, "The Lord save the King!" So, it is possible that Hosanna carries this idea.

 

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" is a quote from a messianic psalm:

 

This is the day which the Lord has made: let it be a day of gladness and joy to us. O Lord, grant salvation, O Lord, grant success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the LORD. (Psalm 118:24-26)

 

For those welcoming Jesus, this refers to the long-awaited eschatological day of the Lord. For on that day, their Messiah comes to save them from their enemies and to establish his kingdom. The following verse testifies to this: 

 

Jesus is Heralded as the Promised King

Blessed be the kingdom to come, the kingdom of David our father! Hosanna in the highest places! (Mark 11:10)

 

The term refers to the Davidic Covenant of 2 Samuel 7:12-16. No descendent of David sits on the throne in Jerusalem at this time. Rather, a pagan king rules over the people of Israel. No son of David has held the throne since the Babylonian exile in 597 B.C. Even after the return of the exiles, no Jewish king has ever again reigned over Israel. Instead, governors have exercised borrowed power. The people of Israel have never again enjoyed independence but have been treated as pawns and have passed from the hands of Babylon to Medo-Persia to Rome.

 

But they never lose hope. They have been waiting for centuries for the day when the promise of 2 Samuel 7 will be fulfilled. And after waiting so long, the day comes, the dawn of a new era. And on this day, this crowd welcomes the realization of the nation's 600-year-old hope! How much more so when as they see Jesus head straight for the temple that very day. And when, the next day, he cleanses the temple (Mark 11:15). How sad, though, that a few days later they will see all their dreams shattered when their Lord is hung on a cross. 

 

Excursus: Was the Crowd Fickle?

But does the fact that their initial joy on Palm Sunday does not result in the hoped-for coup and coronation mean that this multitude turns against Jesus five days later? Have you heard this version of the story used to illustrate the condition of the human heart, fickle and unstable in all its ways? But what if the crowd was not, in fact, fickle? Moreover, what if there was not one crowd but two? A careful examination of the gospels demonstrates just that. 

 

Let me tell you about the first crowd: The multitude shouting his praise on Palm Sunday consists of the all the pilgrims already mentioned. These are people on the margins of society who love and hope in Jesus. Among them we could find former demoniacs, blind men, leppers, prostitutes, tax collectors, and other such people of little consequence, humanly speaking. Mark 11:18 says, 

 

And when the chief priests and the scribes heard him, they sought ways to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the people were astonished at his doctrine.

 

The sheer number of these disenfranchised men, women, and children presented a threat to the religious establishment. Moreover, following his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, this same multitude follows Jesus all week long, hanging on his every word. 

 

The second crowd, on the other hand, is a gang of people incited by the scribes and Pharisees. According to John 18:6, a cohort of soldiers and the temple guard came to the Garden of Gethsemane to arrest Jesus. Many commentators believe this crowd consisted of 300-600 trained soldiers. They come armed to arrest Jesus precisely because they fear the opposition of the crowd who loves and follows Jesus. 

 

The trial of Jesus takes place by the cover of night, while the crowd of Jesus' admirers sleeps. The crowd that welcomed Jesus at the triumphal entry is asleep, but not the crowd of Jesus' enemies. Moreover, the trial of Jesus before Pilate takes place very early in the morning.

 

Pilate stands to gain from placating this crowd of religious leaders from time to time. He does not need to secure the support of the children, the lame, the widows, and the powerless. When this crowd wakes up and seeks Jesus to hear His teachings once again, it is too late. By 9 AM, Jesus is already hanging on the cross (Mark 15:25).

 

There is little support, therefore, for the popular commentary on the inconstancy of a crowd that might shout "Hosanna" one day and "Crucify him" a few days later. Rather than offering a lesson on the fickleness on the human heart, I believe the account of Jesus’ triumphal entry begs the question: What crowd will I be a part of? Those who eagerly welcome our Deliverer King? Or those who stand against him, more interested in self-preservation? Even if my understanding of Jesus is flawed at times, am I submitting to my King, or demanding that he come on my terms rather than his? Because that, in the end, is what distinguishes the two crowds.

 

For the true followers of Jesus that joyful day, their hopes are shattered, albeit temporarily, on the dark night that Jesus is betrayed and sentenced to death. But for those of us who know the rest of the story, we know that the cross is not the end. We can sing hymns of joy like the multitude on Palm Sunday, because we know that our King is risen, that our King is crowned, and we will live under his reign forever. Glory be to God!

 

Let us welcome with joy our Lord Jesus, for He is our Deliverer King.