Holy Week: Palm Sunday
A Misunderstood Plan
Crowded with travelers, the city of Jerusalem bustled with activity as everyone prepared for the Passover feast later that week. Suddenly, a boisterous crowd entered the city shouting and rejoicing and laying cloaks and palm branches on the ground in front of a man riding a baby donkey. People stopped what they were doing and hurried to see what was happening. When asked what was going on, the crowd excitedly proclaimed that the man on the donkey was the prophet Jesus.
This would be known as the Triumphal Entry. The crowd that followed Jesus to Jerusalem was a combination of disciples (not just the 12, but others as well), religious leaders, and fellow travelers heading to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. Many in the crowd had witnessed Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead and heal others. They heard Him teach the truth. They watched him face the religious leaders. As He rode the colt, some in the crowd may have remembered the prophecy spoken in Zechariah saying, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” (see Zechariah 9:9). They may have even believed the prophecy was unfolding in front of them as they hoped He was the long awaited Messiah coming to free them from the oppression of the Romans, to establish His rule and to bring peace to the land. Other than the religious leaders (see Luke 19:39-40 and John 12:19), the crowd celebrated as Jesus entered Jerusalem on a colt, a symbol of peace. Finally, their Messiah had arrived to begin His reign! This was not God’s plan though.
Yes, Jesus was the long awaited Messiah and yes, He was coming to free them from oppression, but on a grander scale they didn’t understand yet. Even His own disciples didn’t fully understand it until after Jesus’s resurrection (see John 12:16).
God’s plan was greater than having Jesus defeat the Romans and reclaim David’s throne. Originating from a place of perfect love, His plan would bring peace between Him and those who accepted His offering of forgiveness, mercy, and grace. His plan included the redemption of not only His people, but of the whole world. His plan would give us the ability to overcome the oppression of sin and consequential death.
More often than not, we tend to be like the crowd following Jesus into Jerusalem. We think we know what God’s plan is though we really have no idea. We are limited by our own perspective, our sinful desires, and our errant motives. God, however, knows all. He is perfect, holy, and loving. He is not limited by anything. His ways are infinitely higher and better than our ideas ever will be (see Isaiah 55:8-9).
Thank the Lord for greater plans. Had His plan been what the Jewish people expected at the time, then we wouldn’t have the gift of redemption and reconciliation. We wouldn’t have the opportunity to be at peace with God, our Creator and Redeemer of our soul. We would still be enslaved to our sinful ways, only to die and suffer eternally in Hell. Instead, His perfect plan built on love changed the world forever.
To read the account of the Triumphal entry, read Matthew 21, Mark 11, and Luke 19 (beginning in verse 28).
