Kevin Siddle
Palm Sunday, also known as the Triumphant Entry, sees Jesus fulfilling the prophecies set out in the Old Testament. When Jesus mounted an unbroken colt, a donkey that had not yet been ridden, he was fulfilling what was written in Numbers 19:2, Deut 21:3, and 1 Samuel 6:7. This was also a sign to the people that Jesus was affirming his messianic royalty. He came as a king of peace riding on a colt, not as a warring king riding on a horse or in a chariot. As the people saw this, they understood what Jesus was doing. He was pronouncing a new kingdom, just not the kingdom that they had hoped. The crowds expected Jesus to be their new leader and to bring Jerusalem to its former glory. This would not happen, and when it became obvious that Jesus was not going to fulfill their hopes, many would turn against him. Luke 19:41-42 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you had only known on this day what would bring you peace - but now it is hidden from your eyes.” Imagine the scene. People cheering, singing, waving palm branches in celebration of Jesus entering into Jerusalem. People seem to finally understand that Jesus is the Messiah! Unfortunately, they don’t understand, and Jesus knows it. In contrast to the joy of the crowd, Jesus wept as he approached the city. Jesus knew that he would be rejected. Not only rejected by the city, but by its people, and even his disciples. Where there is great joy at the arrival of Jesus, there is also great pain of what is to come. The painting pictured is by Pietro lorenzetti titled entry into Jerusalem.
*Adapted from the Life Application Bible Commentary of Luke