The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!” Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: “Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey’s colt.” His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him. (John 12:12-16)
This section of text marks Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It is one of the few actions in the life of Jesus that is recorded in all four of the gospels. By this action Jesus presented Himself officially to the nation of Israel as their promised coming Messiah and Son of God. The Sanhedrin and the other Jewish leaders wanted Him dead, but not during the time of Passover due to the large crowds gathered from all over Israel for the feasts. In whom among them Jesus was very much favored and wanted by them. Jesus entered the city on His own appointed time and forced the issue that it might happen exactly on the Passover day when the lambs were being sacrificed. Paul, in writing to the church at Corinth, detailing instructions for the church for its sanctification and purging away of the “little leaven which leavens the whole lump” reminded them that sin tolerated will eventually permeate and corrupt the whole church. Then he said, “For indeed, Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” (1 Corinthians 5:6-7)
Passover Feasts—Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance. (Exodus 12:13-14) The details how the Passover Day was to be memorialized in future years were laid down by God through Moses, then repeated in the instructions to the elders. This unblemished firstborn male lamb, was what Jesus was to mankind. We needed a Savior, who met all the requirements of God the Father, in that it would have to be without sin. Jesus was the only person who could qualify because He lived a sinless life amongst the people of His day. At the fullness of God’s time, He came into the world as prophesied in the Scriptures and was our Passover Lamb.
And so knowing that Jesus was going to be coming from Bethany, having to come down from Mount of Olives, they went over to the path that comes from Bethany, down to the Mount of Olives into the Kidron valley to Jerusalem. And as Jesus was coming by the prophesied mode of transportation, “Lowly, riding on a foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9), they greeted Him, waving and laying down palm branches before Him. And so, we have Palm Sunday as the day we commemorate Jesus’ Messianic entry into Jerusalem, the Sunday before the crucifixion. And they were crying the 118th Psalm, “Hosanna!” “Save Now!” is what the word means in Hebrew. “Blessed is the King of Israel that comes in the name of the Lord!” The evidence of date palms was plentiful, in that they still grow in Jerusalem today. For the last two centuries, the waving of the palm branches had become a national, if not nationalistic symbol, which signaled the fervent hope that a messianic liberator was arriving on scene. Hosanna!—A transliteration of a Hebrew word that means “give salvation now.” It was a term of acclamation or praise sung in the familiar Jewish Hallel psalms 113-118, sung each morning by the temple choir during the Feast of Tabernacles, and associated with the Feast of Dedication especially the Passover.
Beloved friend, Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is so significant that no believer should ever take lightly. It was His revealing of Himself as Israel’s promised coming Messiah. It was Jesus proclaiming Himself as the Son of God, and rightful King of the Jews. It was believed among the most common and lowliest people of Israel at that time who witnessed Jesus’ miracles like the calling of Lazarus from his tomb and raised him from the dead. They were looking for Him in their return to Jerusalem during the Passover feast. Yet, it was the high priest’s, the rulers of the synagogue’s that hated Him, that wanted Him dead. They were afraid that the crowds were turning away from their authority, and turning to Jesus, and His claim to be their Messiah. It was during this time that Jesus declares, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” (John 12:23-28) As a sown kernel of wheat dies to bring forth a rich harvest, so also the death of the Son of God will result in the salvation of many. Not only is the principle of death applicable to Jesus, but also it is applicable to His followers. They too may have to lose their life in service and witness of Him (Hebrews 11:30-39). Jesus Christ came to this earth to die for the sins of mankind. So that we may be saved from the judgment of hell. His righteous soul became even troubled as He was fully human, yet without sin, as He contemplated taking on the wrath of God the Father’s judgment of sin upon Himself. Nevertheless, He can be quoted as saying, “Not My will Father, But Thy will be done!” We are truly blessed as believers today to have so much love be given to such an underserving people, yet, that is why there is so much hope in the gospels. It is declaring God’s love for us, by the coming of Jesus Christ. We should see that His passion week as a remarkable event that has changed our destinies forever. Be blessed by “Good Friday,” His death for us on the cross. Remorse over your sins that you have been forgiven from. Then rejoice over the empty tomb, and the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! It is the glorious account of victory over death, and hell, and Satan in this world. Sing unto Him Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Our King of kings, and Lord of lords! Hallelujah!
May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!
HALLELUJAH!!!!!!! JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING!!!!!!! I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL!!!!!!! THANK YOU MY SWEET SAVIOR!!!!!! JESUS I AM YOURS!!!!