Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44. John 12:12-19
The entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is told to us in all four gospels, it begins what is commonly known as the “Passion Week” or “Holy Week”. This is the eventful last week of Jesus’ life which starts with His entry into Jerusalem and ends with the day of His resurrection.
Many Christian religious traditions are observed during this week starting with the first day, “Palm Sunday”. In numerous cities around the world Palm Sunday is celebrated by Christians in many diverse and unique ways.
In Wales, Palm Sunday is called ‘Sul y Blodau’ which translates to flowering Sunday. The most important part of the day is decorating the graves of dear ones with flowers.
In Spain, it is customary to wear new clothes on Palms Sunday. And most people take part in processions that goes around the town. Statues of Christ, the Virgin Mary and other saints are carried around the town in these processions.
Poland’s Palm Sunday palm leaves aren’t commonly found in Poland and spring hasn’t come yet. Catholic believers will bring any green leaves they can find to the mass.
In the Philippines, grand gestures are made to get rid of evil spirits on Palm Sunday. Traditional tunes will be on the air, and the palm branches are brought home. This is believed to ward off evil spirits or any other danger.
In Finland, Palm Sunday celebration is a mini-Halloween. Children look forward to the festival as they get to dress up as witches. Finnish Easter celebrations are kick-started by little witches who want to bless each home.
As a believer in Christ Jesus how do you observe Palm Sunday? When you read the examples previously given, how did it impact you? Are the people that we read about, who are recognized as Christians and the many different ways they observe Palm Sunday, make you question if they have a relationship with Jesus?
To answer these questions, first of all, the intent and purpose given of the Palm Sunday traditions are not to mock or belittle another’s religious traditions and or question one’s faith. However, the point is for us to look at our hearts and actions in relation to the ways we might observe Palm Sunday.
What is a believer? Someone who has received in their life or trusted Christ Jesus as savior of their life. A person who has a continual intimate relationship with Jesus through prayer, who reads the Bible regularly and desires to fellowship, gather and worship with other believers in the different ways they are able to, in person or even by electronic means.
Below are just a few verses to add to the very brief explanation given above. What other verses would you add that describes the reality of your salvation and relationship with Jesus?
Romans 10:9, That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Matthew 22:37-38, 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
John 14:23-24, 23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.
Hebrews 10:25, Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
The Triumphal Entry
Matthew 21:7-9, 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
If you have been a believer for any period of time you probably have heard it said in a sermon or teaching that many who were in the crowd were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” as Jesus entered Jerusalem. Many of the same persons a few days later were shouting “Crucify him!”. Matthew 27:22-23, 22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” But, did those who were in either crowd really know who Jesus really was? Do those we read about observing various religious traditions in many different ways during this week around the world, really know experientially, intimately and relationally who Jesus is?
We all have seen or even attended an event honoring, recognizing and even celebrating someone in a ceremony or even for a birthday. We might know who the person is by name or have some kind of limited contact with the person, but we really do not have a close and personal relationship with them. However, along with everyone in attendance we enjoy and participate in the festivities or ceremony.
During this week and in the many different ways and opportunities we might have to observe and remember the Biblical fact of what happened to Jesus, are we doing it religiously or relationally? Are we doing it because we and others have always done it that way? Or is there an understanding of why we are doing what we are doing based on and or because of our experiential, intimate and continual relationship with Jesus?
Matthew 21:10-11, 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
It is interesting to note that as Jesus was entering into Jerusalem there were many in the city who heard all the fanfare and jubilation who did not know who Jesus was. And there were those in the crowds who knew Jesus’s name, they knew where he was from and even gave him a religious title “prophet”. This tells me that those who answered knew something about Jesus, but did they really know him personally to love Him? Some of these same people who gave the answer might have been part of the crowd when Pilate asked “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?”. And also, where were these people when Jesus was being crucified?
It is easy to follow the crowd and not even know the person who the crowd is following. What John tells us is that there are distinct evidences in our lives that will differentiate us from others in the crowd by how we live or “walk” which exemplifies to others that we really love Him.
Pastor John
1 John 1:6-7, 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 2:3-6, 3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
