Palm Sunday: The King is Coming (Zechariah 9:9)
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem!
Look, your King is coming to you;
he is righteous and victorious,
humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice Greatly
Look! The King is coming! How amazing that way back in Zechariah a perfect description of the triumphal entry of Jesus. Around five hundred years after Zechariah was written, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a young donkey.
They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and he sat on it. Many people spread their clothes on the road, and others spread leafy branches cut from the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted:
Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord!Blessed is the coming kingdom
of our father David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven! Mark 11:7-10
Palm Sunday
This is what we celebrate on Palm Sunday – the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. People lining the streets, shouting His praises and spreading palm leaves and the very clothes off their backs in front of Him in reverence.
Hosanna Meaning
Hosanna is an interesting word. I think most Christians would use it interchangeably with Hallelujah, as a way to express praise to God. However, what it actually means is “Lord, save us” – a prayer for salvation. Think about what this means for the triumphal entry.
Knowing the meaning of hosanna helps us realize that the people were acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah. They pleaded with Him to save them, acknowledged that He came in the name of the Lord, and blessed Him and His kingdom as a part of the line of King David. Wow! If that isn’t an affirmation of the identity of Messiah, I don’t know what is!
What next?
They recognize Him as Messiah and what is the very next thing they do? They give. They take the coats off their backs and lay them on the donkey for Jesus to sit on. These are not people who have closets and drawers full of clothing at home. Some of them are giving the only outer garments they own to lay on the ground for Jesus to ride over. They are showing their respect and reverence for the Messiah by giving what they have in their hands right then. Branches from trees and the clothes off their backs.
Give.
When Holy Week starts this way, it is no wonder that one of the five pillars of Lent is giving. Giving should be part of our response to our recognition of Jesus as our Savior. Even as we cry out to Him for salvation, we are prompted to give what we have in our hands to serve Him. Even as we bless and praise Him in His triumph over death and the grave this Easter, let’s not forget to give.
How do we give to Jesus?
King Jesus is not physically in front of us today – so how do we give what we have in our hands to Him? He tells us Himself in Matthew 25:
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40 NIV
When we give to people in need, we are giving to Jesus.
Palm Sunday Action Step:
Today, think of someone you can give to this week. It might be the extra coat you never wear that is in your closet, canned goods from your pantry, a meal that you provide, socks or gloves, a blanket or pillow. It might be money or time or a hug or a listening ear. What can we give to someone this week in response to the love Jesus has lavished on us? Make a plan, put it on the calendar or go out and do it now. 🙂
Share your thoughts in the comments on this post or under the Lent Week 6 post at www.facebook.com/devoinaction – we’d love to hear what you think and see pics of your Bible journaling!
Palm Sunday Prayer:
Dear God, Thank you for your Word that brings new revelation each time we read it. I have heard and read the triumphal entry/Palm Sunday story so many times, but never before have I seen that when we recognize you as Messiah, we are compelled to give. Show us who You want to bless through us and what You want us to give. Help us to hear Your voice and be obedient. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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