Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday

Matthew 21:1-11

¶ Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
“Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ”
¶ The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Jesus prepares to enter the city of His death. He knew what awaited Him and still proceeded!

He gives a remarkable prophetic set of directions to His disciples. Notice how Christ is able to ordain details in order to fulfil His purpose. Don't fall for the trap of thinking that seemingly insignificant events are not in the plan of God for your life.

He fulfils the prophecy of the Messiah by Zechariah. This is a constant point made by Matthew in his account of the life and ministry of Christ to show his readers how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament.

When He entered Jerusalem the crowds adored Him. "Crowds" are fickle things. Some have noted that this same adoring crowd would within a week cry out "Crucify Him!"

Jesus rides a donkey into Jerusalem. Jesus fulfils all the hopes and dreams of people even though He comes to people out of obscurity and very humbly. He is indeed worthy of praise and is more easily praised in the midst of the crowd.

Father, help us to recognise who Jesus really is and the times when He is working in our lives for our good. Help us to walk with Christ humbly, not seeking our pre-eminence, but living in a way that brings glory to You even though it brings none to us.