Sunday, March 24, 2013

Palm Sunday The Triumphal Entry

“Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’” So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!” And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.” -Matthew 21:5-11

Today I just reflect what happened on the original Palm Sunday and give meaning to the perspective what is happening this last week of Jesus life.

In order to really get some perspective on what is happening, go back to Exodus 12:1-20, where God describes to Moses and Aaron the first Passover. God explains that in order for the chosen people to be saved, a lamb must be slaughtered. In fact, the chosen people must eat the lamb. God says a lamb is to be selected on the 10th day of the month of “Nisan,” which translates roughly to our springtime today. The lamb is to be inspected; four days later, after the lamb has been determined to “be without blemish” (Ex 12:5), it is to be slaughtered in the evening twilight with the whole assembly of Israel present, (Ex 12:6). At Exodus 12:22, Moses instructs people to take a hyssop branch, dip it in the blood of the lamb, and apply the blood to their doorposts; the angel of death passes over the homes so marked. They are literally saved by the blood of the lamb.

So it says in the bible 

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.

But you may be surprised that that part of the bible was written nearly 500 years before Jesus birth and is in the Old Testament (or Torah, Jewish Bible) in the book of Zachariah chapter 9 verse 9. Giving the people a glimpse of how the coming King would make his entrance almost half a millennium before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. (Remember the United States is only 237 years old)

So Jesus come riding into Jerusalem fulfilling the prophecy and came riding in on a donkey. (Symbolically from beginning to end Jesus came and left this earth riding on a Donkey, Mary rode on a donkey trying to find a place to give birth and delivering Jesus.) And people were elated and lined the streets with palm branches and greeted Jesus with jubilation (Luke 19:37-38), remember that these are the same people who shouted “Crucify Him” a week later.

So as you remember this day, Palm Sunday, and reflect on how the story unfolds in Gospels. Remember that this is the last week of Jesus life on earth. He was 33 Years old.

Lord, I praise you with all my being; I humbly honor You, and reflect this last week how you Gave your one and only Son for me. Thank you for this season, may I never forget that this is the buildup to the greatest gift EVER! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

 Side Note: 

Legend has it that the loyal one in this story is the Donkey, the one who delivered Him to his birth place, the one that brought Him into Jerusalem and legend has it that tried to help him carry the cross. Many Christians believe that the donkey had known what Jesus was about to go through with his trial and suffering. They say that seeing the tragic event of Jesus’ crucifixion, the donkey wished he had been able to carry the cross for Jesus, as he was the one who should carry such burdens. The donkey turned his back on the sight, but he could not leave Jesus whom he had carried, he wished to stay until all was over because of his love and loyalty.

In reward for the loyal and humble love of the donkey the Lord caused the shadow of the cross to fall across his back and the donkey has carried the cross ever since as a sign that the love of God and carries a reward for all to see.




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