Palm Sunday

Why is Palm Sunday relevant? If you Google “What is the significance of Palm Sunday?”, the first hit is one of the most common answers. According to Wikipedia, “It thus marks the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of Lent.”

To me, it is about challenging the expectations we have of Jesus. When Jesus made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, everyone placed their expectations on him.

Imagine being a Jew at the time. The Roman government saw themselves as guarantors of freedom. No wars. Roads that allowed travel throughout the world. Laws that ensured citizens were treated fairly. But to a Jew, they were the opposite. Romans disregarded their holy law. Their taxes were crushing. If you fell out of line, their response was swift and brutal.

For the Jewish people, it was reminiscent of the oppression of the Egyptians. In that time, Moses was raised up to deliver them from bondage. The Jews throwing palm branches on the road knew the similarities to the man riding in.

Jesus was ordered to be murdered at birth, just like Moses. Both of their very lives stood in defiance of an empire. Moses recorded the law and Jesus unlocked its secrets. Moses called down manna from heaven when people needed food. Jesus miraculously fed thousands who came to hear him. While Moses guided people to the Promised Land, Jesus spoke of bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.

To those lining the road, Jesus was the reincarnation of their greatest prophet.

National pride always ran high on Passover week. The Passover marked the last and greatest of the plagues – the death of each firstborn son that came to every family that dismissed God as irrelevant. It was a reminder that they were a chosen people and no nation was stronger than the God who defended them.

The Passover celebration was centered in Jerusalem. David established his throne in that same city after he conquered the ungodly inhabitants through an impossible victory. His reign was the greatest period in Jewish history. No one could stand against their armies, riches were pouring into the kingdom, and their ruler was a man after God’s own heart.

Jesus rode into town as the next David. He was a direct descendant with the same, royal blood flowing through his veins. Too many generations had passed without a true heir ascending to the throne, and the crowds wanted to crown this son of David, restoring God’s rule to a nation.

While David had been a shepherd in his youth, Jesus evoked comparisons by proclaiming that he was the Good Shepherd. David designed the temple and Jesus restored his vision, sweeping away the corruption that had settled into it. David faced down the giant who mocked them, and Jesus stood up to the Pharisees who condemned them.

Everyone singing “Hosanna! Blessed is the king of Israel!” expected that Jesus was David, come to restore the Holy Land.

Jesus would be an unstoppable leader. He had a legitimate claim to the throne. Crowds followed him, listening to every word he spoke. He could command armies, delivering miraculous victories and even raising any fallen heroes from the dead. The day of the Messiah had come.

Jesus was all of those things, but his ambitions were not. Instead of seeking to know him, the crowds placed their expectations upon him. Their disappointment was imminent as they tried to control their deliverer. In less than a week, their rising star would be crucified and their dreams shattered.

So much has changed over two thousand years, but not the human heart.

My prayers often reflect the thoughts of the people at that Passover. Give us a miracle, deliver me from evil, restore us to greatness. I pray for him to grant my wishes instead of asking him to reveal the Father’s love. If I embrace my vision of who he should be, I will see his death where I should witness my deliverance.

This week, I need to learn from the tale of the people at Passover. Am I placing expectations on my Savior, or listening to what he has to say? Am I asking him to deliver me from my situation, or placing my trust in whatever he brings? Will I accept what he offers, or ask for something better?

Father, prepare my heart.