TRIUMPHAL ENTRY a/k/a PALM SUNDAY

TRIUMPHAL ENTRY a/k/a PALM SUNDAY
My text is found in:
(Matthew 21; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 10:28-40; John 12:12-19)
I. INTRODUCTION
All 4 gospels choose to include this triumphal entry. We
celebrate PALM SUNDAY or TRIUMPHAL ENTRY as it is also
called.
But "why" do we celebrate this and "why" do we consider it a
Christian holiday? The answer is simple. It preceeds
Resurrection Sunday and it is remembrance of Jesus
triumphantly coming into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey and
being hailed "King" by the Jews, only to die one week later and
spit upon by those same people.
II. HISTORY
A little history. Let's back up. Jews thought Jesus would deliver
them from the government, which to them at that time, was
almost unbearable. The Jews were very unhappy with the
government. They were looking for someone, the Messiah
actually, to come and lead them in
rebellion against the government.
A. SEEKING A MESSIAH
The Jews were seeking a deliverer. It was political with them in
seeking a "Messiah" a "deliverer" as they saw in Moses. They
were
prepared to "rebel" against the government, hoping that the
"Messiah"
would lead in this rebellion. They were disappointed, however,
to
find that Jesus came to save them from their "sins" and not the
government. The people among whom Jesus was ministering,
namely, the
Jews, looked forward to the coming Messiah but for their
political
reasons. Their hopes were for a "strong man" who would be a
combination of soldier and statesman. But Jesus did not want
to get
involved in their problems with the government. His purpose
was not
to rebel against the government, but to see mankind come to
the full
knowledge of salvation. When the Jews found out that Jesus
wasn't
going to overthrow anyone, or intervene in political matters at
all,
they rejected Him and hated him for it.
The Jews as a Nation did not connect His spiritual ministry with
the
thought of the Messiah. They thought of Him only as a good
teacher
(Matthew 16:13,14).
They were disappointed to find He wasn't what they expected
but that
He proclaimed Himself as Messiah (Matthew 16:20) for He knew
this
would be a signal for rebeling against Rome. He spoke rather
about
the Kingdom, describing its standards and its spiritual nature,
hoping to inspire the people with a hunger for a spiritual
Kingdom
which would in turn, lead them to desire a spiritual Messiah. He
did
reveal Himself to individuals who were spiritually ready. (John
4:25,26; John 9:35-37).
B. WHAT IT SIGNIFIES
1. "Triumphal Entry", also known as "Palm Sunday", is the day
that
marks when Jesus Christ was recognized and proclaimed "King
for a
Day". Those who hailed him "King" were those who would shout
a week
later for His crucifixion.
2. Kingship - In this triumphal entry, our Lord revealed the kind
of
kingship that He and the Father accepted. The Christ had come
to be a
King, the King of Glory.
Matthew proclaimed Him as such. Wise men from the East had
come
searching and proclaimed it as such: "Where is He that is born
King
of the Jews?" (Matthew 2:2) Jesus came as the Son of David.
Matthew prepared his reader for the significance of Jesus'
Jerusalem experience by prefacing his account with a Miracle
found only in his gospel, the book of Matthew.
III. THE MEANING OF PALM SUNDAY
A. REMEMBRANCE
The Meaning of Palm Sunday (The Triumphant Entry) is the day
the
Christian church remembers Christ's triumphal entry into
Jerusalem.
This day that He was hailed as King was most literally predicted
by
the prophet, Zechariah, when he wrote:
"Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey." Zechariah 9:9
Zechariah wrote these words about 480 years before Jesus
rode into
Jerusalem on a donkey (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke
19:28-40;
John 12:12-19).
The donkey is an animal symbolic of humility, peace and
Davidic
royalty. The colt of a donkey not only symbolizes humility and
meekness, but the colt had not been ridden, so it was not ever
put to
secular use.
B. RIDING ON THE DONKEY - Zechariah 9:9
Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem in this way to publicly claim
that He
was the chosen Son of David to sit on David's throne. King David
used
this symbolism to proclaim his son, Solomon, to be the rightful
heir
to the throne. Jesus knew exactly where the colt was upon
which he
would ride into Jerusalem. (Matthew 21:1-3; Luke 19:30. By
riding
into the city on a donkey he was proclaiming exactly who He
was.
Question: How did Jesus know that they would find the donkeys
exactly
where He said they would????? The answer to that is the
fulfillment
of the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9.
Mark 11:1-11
1. Verse 3 - Where did Jesus get the "authority" to take the
donkey
and
tell the disciples in verse 3 that the "Lord hath need of
them"???
2. Verses 4,5 - Are fulfillment of prophecy. (See Zechariah 9:9.)
3. Verse 10 (see Mark 11:1) - Jews thought He would deliver
them.
They were tired of political bondage. The Jews looked forward
to the
Messiah's coming, but unfortunately, not for the reason for
which He came.
When the Jews found out that Jesus wasn't going to overthrow
anyone, wasn't going to intervene in political matters, in fact,
wasn't on earth to do anything except save mankind from their
sin, they rejected Him. To them, He was worthless. They
rejected Him as Lord and Savior. They rejected Him because He
wasn't what they thought a "Messiah" should be.
When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on Sunday morning He made
what is now
called His triumphal entry. For it appears He was triumphant at
the
time. But these same people who hailed Him, and waved palms,
would
turn and crucify Him.
This Sunday would have been the 10th of Nissan (see Exodus
12:3), or
the day in which the Pascal lambs to be sacrificed were
presented
before the priests of God for their approval making sure they
conformed to the Levitical requirements recorded in Exodus
12:4. It
was triumphal in that He was, at first, well received. People
rejoiced, sang, waved palms and made his entering Jerusalem a
triumphant.
III. WAVING PALMS AND SHOUTING "HOSANNA"
A. THE PALM BRANCHES
The people, including children, took palm branches and went
out to
meet Jesus.
Why did the people take Palm branches and wave them? Palm
branches
were used in celebration of victory. (John saw a multitude with
palm
branches in heaven in his vision.)
The very large crowd also spread their cloaks on the road,
much as we
would roll out
the red carpet today. This gesture to recognize royalty was also
done
when Jehu was anointed king of Israel. People in front of Jesus
and
also people that followed behind Him, shouted, "Hosanna to the
Son of
David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna
in the highest!" In Luke's gospel, the Pharisees in the crowd
wanted
Jesus to rebuke the crowd for calling Jesus by these terms that
would
have acknowledged Him as their promised Messiah (Hosanna
means "God
saves"), but Jesus told them that, "If they keep quiet, the
stones
will cry out." (Luke 19:40)
B. USAGE TODAY
Many Christian churches today use palm branches in their Palm
Sunday
service (the Sunday preceeding Easter Sunday) and burn the
palm
branches so that the ashes can be used the following year on
Ash
Wednesday. Some line their congregational pews with the
palms. Some
bring small palms into the sanctuary and place them in front of
the
pulpit at the altar.
The triumphal entry of the son of David into the Holy City gave
added
witness of his Messiahship and prefigured his future coming in
glory.
IV. THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY
A. WHEN IS IT CELEBRATED?
The Triumphal Entry is believed to be the SUNDAY before Jesus
was
crucified has become as important to the Christian Church
today as
Resurrection Sunday itself. Jesus entering into Jerusalem
seemingly
in victory with shouts and proclamations is a time of
celebration. I
say seemingly because we all know, one week later, these
same people
will shout: "crucify Him!".
B. JERUSALEM
Prior to His entry into the city of Jerusalem, Jesus had came up
from
Jericho to Jerusalem. Jericho is below sea level about 1200
feet
while Jerusalem is about 2520 above sea level. Jesus actually
goes "up" to Jerusalem since there is about a 3,000 foot
elevation
difference between the two cities. Since the time is April of the
year, or the month of "Nissan" by Jewish calendar, there were
also
thousands of other people who were going to Jerusalem at this
same
time. Many of these people joined with Jesus and accompanied
Him on
this journey. (The route from Jericho to Jerusalem is about a 2
day
walk. Today if traveled by car it would take about an hour and a
half.)
These disciples who were with Jesus were in very high spirits.
They
believed they had found the King of Kings and that when he
went into
Jerusalem it would mark the beginning of the end for the Roman
domination. Little did they realize that He was not headed to
Jerusalem to liberate the Jews from Roman bondage but rather
to
liberate all men from the bondage of sin.
Bethany lies just outside of Jerusalem about 2 or 3 miles. Jesus
no
doubt paused in Bethany at the home of Mary, Martha and His
dear
friend Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead a few months
earlier.
As Jesus came to the rim of the Mount of Olives overlooking the
kidron valley towards the Temple Mount Jesus wept. Had they
know that
this was 'His day' they would not have had to be destroyed. But
they
were blind and not ready. (Luke 19:42 as foretold by Daniel the
prophet see Daniel 9)
In spite of Jerusalem being the Holy City, the capital of the
Jewish
world, and the place of the Holy Temple, Jesus never based His
ministry there. The scriptural record of His dealings in
Jerusalem
are generally associated with visits He makes during the times
of the
Feasts and observances of Israel. Had Jesus chosen to base
His
ministry there He would have likely been prematurely
assassinated
since there were so many in Jerusalem who wished to put him
to death.
On many occasions Jesus was obliged to leave Jerusalem
when His life
was in jeopardy (see John 7:1,9,25). Yet He knew that
Jerusalem was
his destiny with death. He remarked, 'it cannot be that a
prophet
perish out of Jerusalem (Luke 13:33).
Jesus' mission was predetermined from before the foundations
of the
world. His life conformed to fulfill the prophecies in every detail.
There was an ordained hour for his birth and there was an
ordained
hour for his death. Central to the prophecies of his death was
the
literal fulfillment that He was to become the Lamb of God
sacrificed
for the sins of Israel. He would have to die at Passover.
On other occasions when His life was threatened He left
knowing that
His hour was not yet come. Yet on this final week of His life He
makes a Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem for His day and hour had
finally
come. When they were coming near to Jerusalem to Bethphage,
unto the
Mount of Olives, Jesus sent 2 of His disciples to go to the village
and bring the donkey and colt to Him.
C. SYMBOLIZATION
Jesus signified the Lamb. Truly Jesus symbolized and fulfilled
all
the anticipations contained in the traditions of Moses. He was
the
Lamb of God who would lay down his life.
This 'Triumphal Entry' into Jerusalem for Jesus was a different
entry
than any other time in which He had come into the Holy City.
Why?
Because on other occasions, Jesus has avoided being
celebrated as
King and hailed in that manner, but on this day He not only fails
to
avoid being hailed as King, He actually arranges it. First, in
fulfilment of prophecy, He sends His disciples to bring an ass
and
its fowl to Him so that he can ride it into the Holy City and fulfill
the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9.
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of
Jerusalem:
behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having
salvation;
lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an
ass."
Talmudic tradition suggests that all the Kings of Israel should
ride
a donkey to show humility and to emulate the Messiah yet none
but
Jesus is remembered for actually doing it. The multitude,
described
in the scriptures as 'great', probably numbered in the thousands
if
not the tens of thousands. To show honor and respect they
waved palm
branches.
They praised Him by singing as recorded in Psalms. Ps:105:1: O
give
thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his
deeds among
the people.
Ps:106:1: Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for
he is
good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ps:107:1: O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his
mercy
endureth for ever.
Ps:118:1: O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because
his
mercy endureth for ever.
Ps:118:29: O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his
mercy
endureth for ever.
Ps:136:1: O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his
mercy
endureth for ever.
Ps:136:2: O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy
endureth
for ever.
Ps:136:3: O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy
endureth
for ever.
Ps:136:26: O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy
endureth for ever.
Psalm 118 was sung only on holy days and was used to evoke
praise for
the Messiah of Israel. On this occasion they sang it to Jesus.
When
the Pharisees heard the crowds singing this praise to Jesus
they were
upset and told Him to quiet the people. Jesus replied that
should He
do that, the very stones would cry out. And he answered and
said unto
them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones
would immediately cry out. (Luke 19:40)
V. CONCLUSION
A. PALM TREES
Palm trees grow in great abundance at the lower, warmer
climates.
Many streets in Florida, especially Miami, are lined with tall,
hovering Palm trees. Palm trees grow in elevations in Palestine,
mainly along the coast and at Tiberias and Jericho where it is
tropical and below sea level. Because of the tropical climate,
Jericho is called: the city of palm trees".
A palm tree shelted a mourning Jew in a coin made after Titus
conquered Judae circa A.D.70. Most often growing in groves,
Palm
trees provided excellent shade as well as tasty fruit. Their
leaves
are frequently nearly ten feet long. A healthy palm tree can
produce
dates for over 200 years. Resourceful Jews of the day used
almost
every part of the tree for dyes, sugars, oil, wax, camel feed,
beads
and a strong intoxicant called ARRAKE.
There are various types of Palm Trees. Among the most
important are:
Arenga Pinnata, the sugar psalm. It grows approximately 12
meters
tall and frequently has 20 to 28 feather-shaped leaves. Sugar,
wine
and starch can be made from these. Another is ATTALEA
COHUME occuring
in Central America grows about 18 metres tall and has erect,
plume-
shaped leaves. Oil from the seeds is used in soap.
There are many types of palms and if you have an encyclopedia
you can
research into the many types. Some cities were famous for their
palm
tree groves in Biblical times. One special palm tree towered as
high
as 90 served as the place of Deborah's court (Judges 4:5). On
Jesus'
RIMPHAL ENTRY into Jerusalem, the crowd used palm brances
to gree Him
(John 12:13). We call that the TRIUMPHANT ENTRY, known now
as, Palm
Sunday. Jesus came riding into the city on a donkey. (Zech. 9:9;
Matthew 21:5; John 12:15) John 12 starting in verse 12 -
"on the next day much people that were come to the feast,
when they head that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took
branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him and cried,
Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name
of the Lord". These same people would yell "crucify him!"
This concludes my short study. May your Palm Sunday be
blessed as you remember the King of kings.
copyright2000 Theresa Q. Pavone,A.TH, B.TH
All rights reserved.
DO NOT USE without permission.

used with permission.