Matthew 21 v 1 -11

Jesus had entered Jerusalem for the Passover festival having just raised Lazarus from the dead, and was receiving an enthusiastic welcome from crowds of people gathered for the event. This was the major festival held annually, to remember how God saved Israel. This was Jerusalem’s big annual religious festival: we might compare the Passover to our Christmas, when the Churches attract many people who attend not so much from a religious attitude, but see it as a social event.

At such a time as this, many non-Jews would go to the city to join in the celebrations. Great crowds of pilgrims had also gone to the city from the country for this Festival Feast, Many of the pilgrims had seen and heard Jesus when He was in Galilee, and wanted to welcome the opportunity to proclaim Him as the Messiah.

Matthew states the entrance of Jesus on a colt, fulfils the prophecy of Zechariah, and the presence of Jesus was an open declaration, that He was the Messiah as stated by David, and there as also a prophecy by Jacob who stated ‘your king is coming to you’ whose rule would extend over nations.

Jesus entered into Jerusalem humbly on a donkey.  Jerusalem is described in the Bible as the City of the great King (God), the centre of Israel’s religious life and Messianic expectations. Jesus referred to Himself as Lord, the Sovereign figure of the day. Matthew alone mentions a donkey and a colt, which may have been because the  moving in such a noisy entrance to the city, may have disturbed the colt so the donkey would add stability. In any event, Jesus had commanded His Apostles to fetch a donkey and colt.  

Cloaks had been spread over the ground to symbolize the crowds acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah, and palm branches were also thrown to show Jewish nationalism, with a sign of victory and with the Festival of Tabernacles.

The phrase ‘daughter of Zion’, is a term for the people of Jerusalem. Son of David means that Jesus is the Messiah, spoken of by the great king of Israel who the crowds acknowledge.  The Jewish religious leaders were troubled that Jesus was being received so well, He might usurp their power.

This event was celebrated in a different way to that which Jesus normally acted. He usually preferred to keep out of notice, sometimes be in the wilderness, which meant He fulfilled the prophecy, that He should not strive, nor let His voice be heard in public. Here, Jesus appears to come out of His normal way, and chooses to seek public attention. He makes a very public entrance to the city, at the head of His Apostles,

He rides surrounded by many people who were calling Hosanna, like king David returning to his palace in triumph, as mentioned in the Book of Samuel. All this was at a time when lots of Jews were gathered from many lands, stretching out of  Jerusalem who had come to celebrate the Passover. It was certain every house in the city had known and talked about.

The events we are reading about are important in our Lord’s life, and are told in different parts of the Bible, and for centuries in the Church has been celebrated as Palm Sunday.  Junior Church young people would parade in streets on the way to and from the local Church, and I am sure in the religious cities of Europe and elsewhere will do so on Sunday.

Now n this country, our schools are more concerned to teach young people about sexual activities and gender change, and a lot of parents having no religious education themselves, cannot help them. Pam Sunday will not have any meaning to them, even if told what day it was.  How sad, most people of earlier generations were brought up with at least a basic religious teaching, which gave them a solid foundation for life.    

 We learn here how Jesus went into Jerusalem for one purpose, to die on this last journey. He had spent most of His life away from the city, but when the time came to give up His life for our sakes, He took care to tell the rulers, Jewish religious leaders, Scribes and Romans.

Jesus knew the greatest event in all the world’s history was about to happen, as He would suffer in the place of  sinful men and women, the momentous sacrifice for sin ever to be offered. He, the Passover Lamb about to be crucified as the principal priceful  atonement, for the world’s sin to be made. He ordered that His death be made public, so that all eyes be made on Him, and then He decided there would be many witnesses.

How sad, so many eyes will not see and many ears will no hear, the importance of the death or sayings of Jesus; of the things He taught, or try to follow His way of life, or learn of His coming back one day, when He will care for all those who accepted Him, and judge those who rejected Him. From his death, we have all our hopes, as we remember all He did for us.

Notice that when He rode into Jerusalem, it was not in a royal carriage with massed bands playing, and a host of servants like the kings (and Queens) of this world. He came on a colt, sitting on the coats of his Apostles, and without a saddle. He never had any riches or wealth, and would be buried in a borrowed tomb.

There is nothing dishonourable in being poor, through birth or other circumstances. There is nothing wrong in working in a low capacity. Always remember, many men adwomen are working to serve others, are as honourable in many ways, and far more so in many cases. I find it objectionable to see people in hotels, treating waiters and waitresses so casually, as people so inferior to themselves, when such people work for low payment, and are so often more acceptable in God’s eyes than those they are serving.

Let us do what we have to do, in the way God sees us, and not feel ashamed whatever that is, if we are acting honestly. The Savior of the World cares for all people, irrespective of their place in society.

Give thanks to God for His Holy Gospel,  Praise to Christ our Savior.

.