Palm Sunday Reminds Us that Christ Is King

“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9)

Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter that begins the Holy Week.  It is the time we celebrate the day Jesus entered into Jerusalem as Savior and King.  As Jesus rode on a donkey into the town of Jerusalem a large crowd gathered and laid palm branches and their cloaks across the road, giving Jesus royal treatment.  The hundreds of people shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" (Matthew 21:9)  But while this is a triumphal entry, it is Jesus’ first step toward His death.

We Americans aren’t too familiar with monarchy.  We will watch a coronation.  We are fascinated by the pageantry surrounding a royal wedding.  We will even occasionally follow the royal gossip surrounding Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle.  Although we are sort of numb when it comes to all kinds of leadership, seeing the weaknesses of kings, prime ministers, and presidents, yet who among us is not moved by the majestic strains of “Pomp and Circumstance?”

It is overwhelming to sense the power, the armament, the majestic aura, that surrounds the presence of a man called a king.  There is something awe-inspiring about royal power.  We could add that there is something awesome about all political and military power which marks the paths of kings, prime ministers, and presidents.

There is one exception, that being an encounter with King Jesus.  Jesus is a different kind of king. Whereas most royalty comes determined to rule, He comes determined to serve.  Whereas most monarchs spend time building their egos with the privileges of office, He comes with a totally disarming humility.  Whereas most kings ride white stallions or majestic Boeing 747s, King Jesus rides a donkey.  He knew what He was doing.

Even as the coatless multitudes waved the palm branches and shouted for joy, they missed the true reason for Jesus’ presence.  They could neither see nor understand the cross.  That’s why, “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace-- but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you. ” (Luke 19:41–44)

There is coming a day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (See Philippians 2:10–11) The worship will then be real.  Also, John records a scene in heaven that features the eternal celebration of the risen Lord, “There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” (Revelation 7:9)  These palm-bearing saints will shout, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." (Revelation7:10), and who can measure their joy?

The story of the triumphal entry is one of contrasts, it is the story of the King who came as a lowly servant on a donkey, not a prancing steed, not in royal robes, but on the clothes of the poor and humble.  Jesus Christ comes not to conquer by force as earthly kings but by love, grace, mercy, and His own sacrifice for His people.  

His is not a kingdom of armies and splendor but of lowliness and servanthood.  He conquers not nations, but hearts and minds.  His message is one of peace with God, not of temporal peace.  If Jesus has made a triumphal entry into our hearts, He reigns there in peace and love.  As His followers, we exhibit those same qualities, and the world sees the true King living and reigning in triumph in us.

This week is when we remember that our sinless Savior took the punishment that we should be receiving.  This is the week when we remember that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  

This is the week when we are reminded that we can't save ourselves, but Christ saved us.