Palm Sunday Parade
By Harrison Woodard
The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet Him. They kept shouting: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord – the King of Israel!’ Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written: Fear no more, Daughter Zion; look! your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt. — John 12:12-15 HCSB
Based on Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44 and John 12:12-19
As Jesus and his disciples neared Jerusalem, he sent two of his disciples on a mission.
“Go to the next village. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a donkey tied up, one that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it to me. If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it, and will return it right away,” said Jesus.
“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord – the King of Israel!”
The disciples went and found the donkey just as Jesus said and untied it.
Some people standing nearby said, “Why are you taking that donkey?”
The disciples replied just as Jesus had instructed them, and the people let them take it.
They brought it to Jesus. After spreading their coats on it, Jesus climbed up on the donkey.
As they headed down the Mount of Olives, the crowd began shouting praises over all the miracles they had seen.
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“All is well in heaven! Glory in the high places!”
Some Pharisees from the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, get your followers under control!”
But Jesus said, “Even if they were quiet, the very stones would burst out in praise.”
When Jerusalem came into view, Jesus cried for the city and said,
“If you had only known what was happening today and everything that was given to you! But now it’s too late. In the days ahead your enemies will surround you, attacking from every side. They’ll smash down your walls. Not one stone will be left on another. All this because you didn’t recognize and welcome God’s personal visit.”
The huge crowd that had arrived for the Passover Feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. Those that had witnessed Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead had spread the word and had much of the city excited.
They threw their garments down on the road in front of Jesus. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down in front of him. The crowd ahead of him and following behind were shouting,
“Hosanna to David’s son!”
“Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!”
“Hosanna in highest heaven!”
The Pharisees saw all this and were disgusted.
“It’s out of control. The whole world’s following him,” said the Pharisees.
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken.
People asked, “Who is this?”
And the crowd answered, “This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Jesus entered Jerusalem and made his way to the Temple. After looking around, he returned to Bethany with his disciples for the night.
His disciples didn’t understand all that was happening at the time. But after Jesus was glorified, they remembered that Jesus had done everything that had been written about him.
Some Things To Think About
By this time, Jesus was very well known throughout Israel. Stories of his miracles and teaching had spread throughout the land. Arriving during the Passover celebration meant that Jerusalem was filled with pilgrims, many of which were eager to see Jesus. But much of the crowd had a wrong understanding of who Jesus was and his purpose. Some thought he would be a political king and remove the Roman occupation. The religious leaders feared their loss of power and influence over the people. Only a small handful really understood that this was God’s divine presence among men. His sacrifice would usher in an eternal Kingdom that would change the world for all time.
Jesus walked in perfect obedience to God’s Word. While some of the things he did might seem strange, he was perfectly aware of the Words of the prophets and fulfilled every prophecy including this trip on a donkey to Jerusalem (Isaiah 62:11 & Zechariah 9:9). His obedience allowed him to live in close fellowship with his Father with access to all the power, protection and wisdom provided by God’s love (John 15:10). That same fellowship is still available to you through faith and one simple commandment: Love God, your neighbor and yourself. If you do this, you have fulfilled all of God’s commandments (Romans 13:8-10).
The religious leaders were offended by the praise offered to Jesus by the crowd. The reality was that all of creation praises God and would have even if the religious leaders were able to silence the crowd (Luke 19:40). Whether its jealousy or ignorance, religion often tries to dampen praise because praise works. God doesn’t need your praise. He wants it because it releases your faith and gets your focus on God and not the problems you face. God is your source and solution. When you really know that God’s Word is true, you can release joyful praise, expecting and receiving deliverance in any area of your life!
Palm Sunday is a wonderful time to remember Jesus at the pinnacle of his time on earth. But now that he is glorified, he is in an even better position to help you. Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, he is present with you all the time. That’s reason enough to praise him throughout the day! Everything he accomplished on Easter morning is yours through faith. So don’t neglect praising God. Its not only good for you, but it will bring down walls (Joshua 6), win battles (2 Chronicles 20), create life (Luke 1), feed the hungry (Mark 8) and set you free (Acts 16)! Remember nothing is impossible with God (Genesis 18:14; Job 42:1-2; Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37).
Faith Building Exercise
Faith comes by continually hearing God’s Word. When you confess (speak) God’s Word out loud you are planting God’s incorruptible seed in your heart (spirit). In time, God’s Word will take root in your spirit (heart) and produce a plentiful harvest of all God’s blessings and promises in your life.
Confess these out loud every day until you believe them in your spirit. They will build your faith. Look up these verses and read them as they appear in your Bible. You can always trust God’s Word because He cannot lie.
If you don’t know what to praise God for, here are ten promises to get you started. When you know these are true in your heart, you can’t help but praise God!
The Lord healed me and keeps me from every disease.
(Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 7:15)
God has placed a hedge of protection around me, my house and around everything I own. He blesses the work of my hands and increases all my possessions.
(Job 1:10)
I meditate on God’s Word and whatever I do prospers.
(Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2-3)
I delight in the Lord and He gives me the desires of my heart.
(Psalm 37:4)
Praise the Lord! Praise His Holy name! He forgave all my sins and healed me! He redeemed my life and crowned me with love. He satisfies all my needs and desires. He made me young again.
(Psalm 103:1-5)
It is God’s will that I am healthy and whole.
(Matthew 8:2-3)
I am more than a conqueror through Christ. Nothing can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
(Romans 8:37-39)
God has all my anxiety, worry and fear because He cares for me.
(1 Peter 5:6-7)
I confess the name of Jesus and my sins are forgiven. I know the Father and I am strong. The Word of God lives in me. I have overcome the evil one.
(1 John 2:12-14)
I have confidence before God. My heart does not condemn me. I receive whatever I ask of Him. I obey His commandments and do what pleases Him. I believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love others. I abide in Him and He in me.
(1 John 3:20-24)
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