Title: The triumphal entry/John 12:12-19
Content: The triumphal entry/John 12:12-19
Key Verse: “He took palm branches and went out to meet them, and cried, Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel” (verse 13).
Word: Today is Palm Sunday. It is the Sunday that celebrates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the beginning of the Holy Week. It is the sixth Sunday of Lent and is also called “Hosanna Sunday”. Since this day is a day to remember the beginning of Jesus' suffering and death on the cross, we must start the week cleanly. If we look at the text, to keep the Passover, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey that no man had ever ridden (verse 14). When Jesus entered, thousands of Jews greeted Him with sincerity, waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna”. What is the lesson that Jesus gives us today, riding on a donkey and entering the city with the Hosanna cheers of the Jews?
First, Jesus came as King for us. Jesus “meeted a young donkey” (verse 14) and rode on it. This is the fulfillment of the prophecy already spoken through Zechariah (Zechariah 9:9). This donkey is a colt that no man has ever ridden. What does it mean? It means holiness. Jesus came in the form of a holy king who had nothing to do with sin to save mankind. It is also telling the saints living in the world that we must be holy and set apart. And the palm branch is a symbol of victory and signifies the noble treatment of welcoming the prince (2 Kings 9:13). When the king of a country enters, he enters at least in a chariot. But Jesus rode a donkey that he had never ridden as king, and this means that he is a king of humility and a king of service.
Second, Jesus came as the “savior” of mankind. The Jews shouted “Hosanna” to Jesus coming on the colt (verse 13). What does 'Hosanna' mean? It means ‘save me now’. The Jews believed that Jesus was the savior who would save them. Of course, I thought and believed that they were not the saviors of all who would save all mankind, but the political Messiah who would liberate Israel from the Roman government. However, we must realize that Jesus came as the Messiah who would take away all the sins of all mankind and save the whole world. Jesus did not come wearing armor to conquer Rome, which wields spears and swords and dominates the world, but rather came to suffer and eventually die to become a ransom for many.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, through Palm Sunday, let us experience the sufferings of Jesus and make us realize the resurrection of Jesus. Let me imitate humility, service, and holiness. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lord's Prayer