Palm Sunday

So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!"

John 12:13

This Sunday is Palm Sunday. On that Sunday of Passion Week, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. This event of Jesus entry is recorded in all four Gospels (Matthew 21:1–11, Mark 11:1–11, Luke 19:28–44, and John 12:12–19). His entry was prophesied by the prophet Zechariah 500 years before Christ's birth: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Make a loud shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Lowly and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a pack animal (Zechariah 9:9).

Have you ever wondered why Jesus rode on a donkey instead of a horse? If He was declared the King of Israel, wouldn't it be more appropriate for Him to ride into Jerusalem on a mighty stallion? That would be what the world would expect. That was what the Jews thought Jesus was: a conquering hero and King who would free them from the Roman yoke. Instead, He rode in on a beast of burden. How appropriate is the symbolism of Jesus' entry? He was about to take on the burden of every man's sin that would believe in Him.      

He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday 2,000 years ago on a donkey. He was the Lamb that would take away the sins of the world. In less than a week, He would be beaten, whipped, nailed to a tree, mocked, and die. He would be buried for three days. But that is not the end of the story because, on the third day, He rose from the dead and is now seated at the Father's right hand.  

One day, Jesus will ride a horse when the world sees Him again. These are the words from John in the Book of Revelation: Then I saw Heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sits on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war (Rev. 16:11). On the day of His Second Coming he will not be a lamb to be slaughtered, but He will return as the Lion of Judea. He will not be riding a donkey but a white horse, leading the armies of Heaven against the haters of God. And do you know who is with Him? You, I, and every believer who has ever lived up to that point. God allows us the hope and joy of knowing that as we live for Christ while we are alive, we will return to Him when He reclaims what is rightfully His (Revelation 16:14). 

Your Shepherd,

Pastor Mark