By: Min. Angela Lee Price
The triumphal entry of Jesus marks the beginning of Holy Week on the Christian calendar. The welcoming cheers of the crowd would turn to yells to "crucify him" by the end of the week. There is so much which we might learn from the event of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the events which surrounded Palm Sunday. Notice at least the following:
1. Though disguised and poor, Jesus is still the King of the world. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey in fulfillment of prophecy (Zechariah 9:9). Jesus offered himself to Israel on Palm Sunday as her long-awaited Messiah. The people wanted Jesus to be their king, a great political and military leader who would free them from the Roman empire. But little did they know, he had come to offer salvation to the whole world. They did not understand that the kingdom of God is not of this world. It is a spiritual kingdom in the hearts of those who put their faith and trust in Him. We ought not be so quick to judge a book by its cover. Just because you're not from a certain ethnicity, class, or zip code, doesn't mean God has not sent you to be a great source of blessing. Put your faith in Jesus.
2. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and His victories are by the weapons of peace. Jesus did not ride into Jerusalem with artillery and a military brigade. Those are weapons of war. On the contrary, he rode in with weapons of peace. Jesus taught to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44). He taught blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9). Jesus taught us how to pray, forgive, and endure to the end; about love, mercy and kindness, making real changes in our lives through the power of his might. He taught not how to die, but how to live. He taught us how to find the real peace of heart and mind that only he can give (John 14:27). The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through Jesus Christ.
3. The Lord can use even the humblest of his creatures. Jesus sent his two disciples to the village to bring a donkey and colt (Matt. 21:1-2). If Jesus can use the humblest of creatures in his service, how much more then can he use any one of us who is willing to humble ourselves in service to him.
4. We should gladly give to his service whatever he has need of. Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone says anything to you, say the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away." (v3) They...placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on." (v7) We should gladly give of our time, talents and treasures. Jesus has need of you. Will you serve him?
5. Christ brings gladness wherever he goes. A large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road" (v8) The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed after shouted Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest heaven" (v9). Hosanna means "save now." While the Jewish people wanted a political or military to save them from Roman rule, they were mistaken about his kingdom, but not about his many miracles. Wherever Jesus went, he made folks glad as he healed, delivered and set folk free of the affliction. Jesus' miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead brought large crowds not only to Bethany but also to Jerusalem during the Passover indicating an ongoing and growing movement of people in Jerusalem putting faith in Jesus (John 12:9-11). Jesus brought gladness to people of his day, and he continues to bring gladness to those who put their faith and trust in him today.
6. Jesus encourages expressions of one's inner joy. The Pharisees insisted that Jesus silence those who were praising him, but Jesus refuses, stating that if he does so even the rocks will cry out (Luke 19:39-40). We ought always to give praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Don't let the rocks cry out in your place. Jesus saves!
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