Palm Sunday

Continuing with the theme of deliverance, we move on from John the Baptist's declaration of "Prepare the Way of the Lord" to Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem as King of the Jews.  (refer to notes from "Prepare the Way" message)

• The Israelites were familiar with the great stories, and promises, of God's deliverance.
• The Roman occupation and oppression of Israel had begun around 63 BC, and while the Israelites were at least within their home land, their sense of national identity as God's chosen people had been seriously shaken.
• The annual festival of Passover, however, kept the hope of deliverance alive, not only for the Jews who inhabited Jerusalem, but also for all those who made the pilgrimage to celebrate.
• Many were eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Messiah.  Although there were differing conceptions of what or who He was to be, the common expectations included:

- He would be a warrior king in the lineage of David

- He would deliver them from Roman rule

- He would restore the Davidic line, and return Israel to its former glory

- He would establish an era of peace and justice

• Among the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah:

- "The Lord you are seeking will come suddenly to His temple..." (Mal. 3:1-4)

- The Messiah's feet would touch the Mount of Olives.  (Zech. 14:4)

- He would come to them "humble, riding on a donkey..." ( Zech. 9:9-17)

- The Lord Himself is "King of Israel," and "will live among His people..." (Zeph. 3:14-20)

• It is within this context that Jesus arrives upon the scene.

Luke 19:28-48 The Triumphal Entry

• 29 - Note where Jesus stood as He prepared to ride into Jerusalem -- The Mount of Olives.
• 30-25 - The fulfillment of Zech 9:9
• 36 - Garments were traditionally spread out for kings / palms were symbols of nationalism, of victory, of joy
• 38 - The people's shouts were derived from the Psalms, including Psalm 118:22-29.  In Matthew's account, the people also cried out "Hosanna!," literally meaning "save now!"
• The multitudes rejoiced because they believed that the hour of their deliverance had come, that the Messiah they were seeking was now entering in Jerusalem to set things right at last -- after over 60 years of occupation, and over 400 years of God's silence, they dared to HOPE that God was at last fulfilling the promises He had made to their ancestors.
• 41-44 - Jesus' lament over Jerusalem was perhaps unexpected and confusing to the people who marched in the procession toward Jerusalem.  How could His words be reconciled with their Messianic expectations?
• 45-46 - Jesus' arrival, and subsequent actions, in the temple provided a glimpse of the righteous anger of the Warrior King.
• 47-48 - Jesus' words and actions provoked the leaders of the day to the point of desiring to kill him... but all the people hung on His every word.

How can those same voices who passionately cried out "Hosanna!" scream "Crucify Him!" just a few days later?

• Disillusionment.  Disappointment.  Similar to the general atmosphere of politics, we long for justice, for someone to right the wrongs, for someone to restore our hopes and dreams.  We can see this during every election season, regardless of who is president.  The same people who eagerly rally around a politician during the elections will often distance themselves, or even savagely turn on the elected official, when that person fails to fulfill their expectations of him or her.
• They had dared to hope, and banked everything on Him.  No doubt they had spread the word to others, had proclaimed Him as Israel's deliverer, even as the Messiah.  Perhaps they were humilated, feeling as though they had spoken too soon, or were foolish to even allow their hopes to be kindled.

The Triumphal Entry Yet to Come

• Rev. 7:9-12 - The saints in Heaven, holding Palm branches, only instead of crying out "Hosanna!" (save now!), they are declaring salvation as coming from God, and from Christ.
• Rev. 19:11-16 - The Warrior King comes at last, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies portraying Him as the Victor, the Judge, the Conquerer, the Ruler.

Application: Don't let your hope in God be swayed by circumstances, by public opinion, by what your fleeting feelings or perceptions may tell you; but trust instead that God is more than able to fulfill all His purposes in His perfect time.