Zechariah 9:9
Matthew 21:1-11
Can you recall when you were last part of a large crowd, cheering and waving at a large event? The excitement, the straining to get to the front of the crowd! Nowadays there would be people with their mobile phones ready to take photos and videos of the event. Possibly today we are more content to watch large events on the TV or online in the comfort of our armchairs with a cup of tea or coffee.
There were no such options on that first Palm Sunday for the crowds of Jewish people that had travelled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. John 12:12 and 13 tells us that the crowd had heard that Jesus would be entering Jerusalem, just as the prophet Zechariah had told them. They gathered to greet him, laying their cloaks for him to travel over and waving palm branches. They treated him as the King and Messiah they were expecting, because they’d heard of the miracles he was performing and how amazing his teaching was.
I wonder if the owner of the donkey was in the crowd? If so, maybe he pushed his way forward and excitedly told anybody who would listen, ‘That’s my donkey!’ His moment of fame! His voice would probably have been drowned out by the cries of ‘Hosanna!’ as the crowd surged around Jesus, their Messiah, their King.
We know the crowd were enthusiastic that day, believing they were witnessing a ‘winner’ in Jesus … just as football crowds cheer their winning team when it is scoring goals. But listen to their comments afterwards if their team loses. Very much like the Palm Sunday crowd, their cheering is so quickly forgotten in the following days.
This crowd, probably made up of pilgrims to Jerusalem, then encountered the city authorities who felt differently about Jesus; they were angered and threatened by him, and wanting to get rid of him. Faced with their power, the crowd later turned against Jesus and changed their shouts of ‘Hosanna!’ to calls to ‘Crucify him!’
Palm Sunday presents us with a challenge to be disciples, followers of Jesus, in whatever circumstances and at whatever cost. Not only when life is going well and faith feels easy, but also in those times when our faith is challenged, and following Jesus is costly.
REFLECTION
Share the song SASB 649 ‘If crosses come’: soloist and piano version or Salvation Army instrumental. Invite members to reflect on their commitment to Jesus in all circumstances of life.
‘Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing frighten you.
Though all things pass,
God alone never changes.
Patience wins all things.
If you have God, you will want for nothing.
God alone suffices.’
Teresa of Ávila
