Saturday Scriptures with Sahara - Palm Sunday

In Christian tradition, the Sunday before Easter has come to be known as Palm Sunday. This was because people welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem by spreading leafy branches on the road before his donkey as he was entering the city at the time of Passover (in the spring) (John 12:13). The cutting of palm branches was usually practiced in the fall, at the Festival of Tabernacles, as part of the construction of the booths (Leviticus 23:40-42).

In Matthew 21:8, we read that some of the crowd showed the same respect by throwing their garments before him; others by cutting down branches of trees, and casting them in the way. John says, (John 12:13), that these branches were branches of the palm-tree. The palm was an emblem of joy and victory. It was used by the Roman soldiers as well as the Jews, as a symbol of peace.

This was the way in which conquerors and princes were often honored. To cast flowers, or garlands, or evergreens, before a warrior who was returning from victory, or a king entering into his kingdom, was a common way of testifying joyful and triumphant feeling.

Many hundreds of years before any of this came to pass, the Scriptures foretold of a Ruler who's Kingdom would never end, One who would bless all nations and lead all nations. Everyone expected a military ruler, like the Judges of old, who would protect Israel and defeat all her enemies.

Instead, Jesus comes out and attacks the existing rulers of Israel, the religious leaders, the Priests, Pharisees and the religious Lawyers. He flaunts His credentials as the true King of Israel, and attacks at the heart of the religious leaders' stronghold…the money.

I don’t think that Jesus’ entry was necessarily a "humble" one as many would like to portray it, but a Royal Entry as the new King of Israel. No one at that time missed the prophetic symbol represented by Jesus' entry on a donkey's colt. He was proclaiming Himself the Messiah, the promised King, who would free Israel and bring everlasting peace.

Although He came meek, full of kindness and compassion to those who were plotting his destruction! He came to deliver up himself into their hands; their king comes to be murdered by his subjects, and to make his death a ransom price for their souls!

The people recognized His gesture and began to shower the road with their blankets and branches. They began to yell praises to Him, which the religious leaders protested. Why would they protest their Messiah? Because they had lofty positions of honor and authority, allowed them by the existing power structure. They enjoyed a good lifestyle and they didn't want a new work of God to mess things up. Jesus' very existence threatened their whole way of living.

Upon his arrival, Jesus removed any doubt the religious leaders had about killing Him. He ushers in a whole new kingdom, a Spiritual Kingdom… but first, He has some unfinished business with the worldly kingdom of Israel.

Scripture readings: Isaiah 62:11; Zechariah 9:9; John 12:4

Let's Pray:

Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

May God Bless You,

Sahara