Palm Sunday Processions
Matthew 21:1-11
Matthew 21:1-11
We just heard the story of Jesus’
passion: his so-called trial and
crucifixion. It’s a powerful
story. And for us as Christians
entering into Holy Week, the events of Jesus passion lie just ahead. We can see the cross on the
horizon. On Friday we will be at
the foot of the cross.
But today is also Palm Sunday, the day
on which we remember Jesus’ festive and triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We heard that portion of Matthew’s
Gospel as we began our own Palm Sunday procession at the outdoor altar.
From Matthew: The disciples went and
did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put
their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A
very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches
from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him
and that followed were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the
name of the Lord! Hosanna in the
highest heaven!" When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, "Who is this?" The crowds
were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee."
The other Gospel writers give similar accounts of a great
and festive event with large crowds cheering Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
I want to share with you one Biblical scholar’s commentary
on Matthew’s account of the triumphal entry (Douglas R. A. Hare, Interpretation Commentary):
It is improbable that
Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem manifested as open a claim to kingship as Matthew’s
account suggests. Had a large
crowd publicly acclaimed Jesus as their king, the Roman garrison would have
promptly cooled the messianic ardor.
Moreover, there would have been no difficulty in securing witnesses for
a Jewish trial. This does not mean
that we must consider the incident as created (rather than interpreted) [by the
gospel writer]. It is probable,
however, that the demonstration was on such a small scale that it failed to
attract public attention.
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was on such a small scale that it
failed to attract public attention.
Jesus’ actual procession into Jerusalem was probably more like our Palm
Sunday procession, than like the grand event we usually picture. It was small, quiet. Basically unnoticed. The participants were just a few of his
most devoted followers.
Jerusalem at the time was busy, preoccupied with other
things.
Years ago I read a clever essay about Jesus’ birth titled:
“Not in the news.” It is written
in the style of a newspaper account and describes all of the things that were
going on at the time of Jesus’ birth.
Jesus’ birth did not make the news. Similarly, Jesus’ trial and death weren’t even a blip in the
news of the day. Other than later
Christian writings, and a brief, passing reference in Josephus, there is no
mention of Jesus’ death in the historical record. It failed to attract public attention.
Matthew, and the other gospel writers, describe how it should have been when the Messiah
entered the holy city Jerusalem. They
describe what should have happened when the King came into his own. Great crowds should have dropped
everything to gather in exuberant, joyful acclaim. Hosanna! All glory,
laud and honor to thee redeemer king, to whom the lips of children make sweet
hosannas ring.
It’s Holy Week.
Jesus is coming again. What
sort of Palm Sunday will it be for you?
Are you too busy?
Preoccupied with other important things? Indifferent to the Messiah’s arrival?
Or will you drop everything to sing and shout for joy? Will you lay aside other activities to
join the crowd that cheers and follows Jesus?
