Mark 11:1-11
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
Between Acclamation and Condemnation
For many centuries, Palm Sunday has been ceremonially celebrated by Christians from the Holy Land and by pilgrims visiting Jerusalem from around the world. The walking ceremony starts at Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, where Jesus began His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and ends next to the Temple Mount.
The crowds still use palm fronds (John 12:13) and olive branches (Mathew 21:8) as a combined sign of triumph and peace, a sign for the humble and peace-making, victorious King Jesus.
Since 400 B.C the palm has been used to crown kings, high ranking authorities and athletes as a symbol of victory, prosperity and productivity. Olive trees cover the Mount of Olives and remind us of Noah's dove bringing an olive branch as a sign of good news of a new start (Genesis 8:11).
God's promise foretold by the prophet Zechariah is fulfilled, "Rejoice greatly, O my people! Shout with joy! For look--your King is coming! He is the Righteous One, the Victor! Yet he is lowly riding on a donkey's colt" Zechariah 9:9.
The palm tree became one of the most significant symbols of the church in the Holy Land, where Christian communities offer education and health care for the locals regardless of their faith or race, even if the Christians are rewarded with obstacles and troubles. These churches live by the rule, "Be like a palm tree, free from foul hatred. Even if harmed by stoning, it gives its best fruits to those who intend it harm."
Palm Sunday reminds us of Jesus the King of Peace who refuses to use His power to destroy others, even the Roman occupation as the Jews expect their almighty Messiah to do. He uses His power to clean the temple and restore its dignity as the House of God. He goes even further to remind us that we are God's temple and that we have to respect and consecrate it to God.
Palm Sunday invites us to consider how we expect Jesus to be. Is He my Jesus accomplishing what I want Him to do, or Jesus whom I am ready to accept as He is?
Am I following Jesus carrying my cross with His, or shall I join those who do their best to get rid of Him shouting with the high priests and those who refuse Jesus' Person and His message? John 19:15.
As He brought Lazarus back to life, may we hear His voice calling us to "Come out!" (John 11:43) of your tombs, renew your faith and follow Him with palm fronds and olive branches.
Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD!
