Palm Sunday Thoughts

All four Gospels include the story of Jesus’ last journey into Jerusalem via the Mount of Olives, the story we especially think about on Palm Sunday, although only John makes reference to palm branches. As I read the accounts recently, I got to thinking about the parts the different characters played in the story.
 
The story begins with two disciples being sent to a village to untie a donkey, together with its young one according to Matthew, and bring it to Jesus. It must have seemed a strange request but, because they had learned to trust Jesus implicitly through their life as his followers, they obeyed without question. It seems that the owners of the donkey also trusted Jesus’ word that it would be returned. Have we learned to trust God enough to obey his leading, even if it sometimes seems strange?
 
The fact that Jesus chose a donkey for this significant journey might seem surprising. If he was entering the city to gain the people’s support, we might expect him to be riding a horse. If he was on a pilgrimage, he would have been on foot. However, at least two of the Gospel writers clearly state that his riding on a donkey was the fulfilment of a Messianic prophecy:- Zech. 9:9 “See your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey….”. Jesus coming as king was not with forceful domination and self importance but with gentleness, humility and selfless love. What an example for leaders to follow in any kind of context today!
 
As Jesus entered the city he was met with large crowds of people, many of whom had listened to his teaching and seen his miracles. There was an obvious expectation that this was the promised Messiah come to free them from Roman domination. And so they met him with rejoicing, waving branches, spreading cloaks on the road and shouting praises to ‘the Son of David’, i.e. the expected Messiah. However, when the situation changed and their hopes seem to have been dashed, their praises turned to shouts of ‘Crucify him’, as they were influenced by the Jewish leaders whose authority was being threatened. We who now honour Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, how would we react if our relatively peaceful situation changed and we were put in danger if we continued to honour him? We need to remember the many in the world who face this challenge every day of their lives.
 
Obviously, the central character in the story is Jesus himself. He is about to complete his ministry on earth. He knows what is ahead of him but does not turn back from accomplishing the will of his Father. He accepts the praises of the crowd while knowing that the cries of many of them will soon change. Let us take time during this Easter week to meditate on what it meant for Jesus to give his life for us.
 
The importance given by the church to the Palm Sunday story is demonstrated by the various ways the day is celebrated around the world. In Jerusalem pilgrims follow the route Jesus took from the Mount of Olives to the gate of the city and gather there for a time of worship. In Ethiopia, Orthodox Christians wear head-bands made from palm leaves and in many places there are processions of people waving palm branches or other kinds of branches. However we celebrate today, let us remember its significance and praise God for what it led to.
Mary Breeze