Palm Sunday is special but is often overshadowed by the other days of Easter. Thursday would begin the suffering followed by the trail to the cross on Friday. Jesus would die on the sixth day of the week. On the seventh day he would rest from his labor. On the first day he would leave the tomb behind. There is nothing we can say or do to alter this. We can live and die by these facts. They are true because HE is true. If you have not accepted the truth and Jesus as Savior, you can do it today.
The King’s approach to his people happened on Palm Sunday. As he approached them, he approaches us today.
Mark 11: 1And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. 4And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. 5And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. 7And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. 8And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: 10Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. 11And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
On the first day of the week Jesus came to Jerusalem. He had been on this final trip for some time. He told the disciples what was coming, but they didn’t grasp it. They looked for Jesus to publically reveal himself and take the throne overthrowing the Romans. That will happen in the future still yet to come. First he had to complete the task as King of Salvation for Sins. Our sin continues to hinder us from God. He had to become the King of Suffering to purchase our salvation through his death on the cross.
He had been to Jerusalem many times before. He had been there with his parents every year for Passover as a boy. He had taught in the temple before on trips during his ministry. This trip to Jerusalem would be different. Many had been touched by his hand. Just recently he had raised Lazarus from the dead. That act sealed his fate with the Sanhedrin. The High Priest said it was better for one man to die than for the whole nation to perish. He spoke the truth unknowingly. It took one man to die for mankind in order that we wouldn’t perish. He died so that we would have an opportunity to be saved.
Other times he would have walked into the city. On this day, it would be different. The city was crowded. People entered the city from every direction. Outside the eastern gate at the top of the hill Jesus appeared riding on a donkey. This had been promised. Zachariah 9:9 says Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. He didn’t appear in a fancy chariot, just a colt that had never been broken. Thirty-three years earlier he came through the unbroken womb of Mary. The colt knew what to do. Out of the hundreds coming into the city, suddenly the appearance of this man happened; the people began to react. The Bible had promised the Lord would come. Here he was. The Bible promises the Lord is coming again. He came in the manner he said he would, and he’ll do it again. He fulfilled scripture to a “T” and he always will. He is who he says he is. He will do what he says he’ll do. He means it. He’s willing to receive you if you will receive him.
Other times he came as a teacher. On this day he was King, and he wants nothing less than to be your King today. Satan and sin may seem king, but there is no kingship there. There is one King—King Jesus. The Bible says he came out of the people for the people. Did he come just to fulfill the prophecy? No. He came for Adam’s race. He was willing to come then, and he’s willing to come after you today. He has your number. He knows your name. Today you can yield to him. You are the reason he came. He came in a way we can all accept, in a way we can trust. If he had come to beat us down, it might be understandable that people turn away from him. He didn’t come to condemn. He came to save. He approaches as if on a donkey, meek and lowly. Isaiah 53 says he was as a lamb led to the slaughter; he didn’t open his mouth. With silence on his lips, he rode on a donkey. He was silent with the Sanhedrin. He was mostly silent through the entire ordeal. He was on the cross six hours and spoke seven short phrases. On Easter Sunday morning he said “All hail” to the women in the garden. He spoke shortly to Mary. Today he looks into the depth of your soul. You know the voice just as the people knew it in their hearts on Palm Sunday. They saw Jesus for who he was. They began to lay down their garments and palm leaves for him and cried “hosanna.”
What kind of response are you giving him? His silence on the donkey was adequate; it stirred the whole city. Today his approach is the same. It is enough. You’ll find that Jesus is always enough. He’s at your heart’s door. Will you receive him? What will you lay down for him? Will you say your King has come?
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 