What was Palm Sunday really about? by Roger Roth Sr.

“What was Palm Sunday really about?” by Roger Roth Sr.

Palm Sunday has typically been described as a joyous victory before the devastating events of Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus rode into Jerusalem among the cheers of the multitude as they lay their garments before his path waving palm branches with shouts of Hosannah! (save us we pray)

In less than four days this celebration was to turn into a death march. By the following Sunday He would suffer, die, be buried, and victoriously rise again! Reminiscent of the Apostle Paul’s pronouncement in 2 Corinthians 3:18; From natural glory to spiritual glory in eight amazing days!

Was Palm Sunday really about a fickle assembly of Jews who rejoiced at His appearing in Jerusalem and within five days replacing their shouts of hosannah with shouts of “crucify Him, crucify Him!” To understand Palm Sunday, as in comprehending all New Testament occurrences, one must search the Old Testament roots.

There could be no Crucifixion or Resurrection without Palm Sunday. On this day Jesus, as with every episode of His life, fulfilled the Father’s perfect plan and established a perfect pattern for His follower’s benefit and understanding.

In Luke Chapter 19 Jesus enters Jerusalem passing by Bethphage (house of figs) and Bethany (house of affliction). In John’s gospel we find that it is here that Jesus raises Lazarus. It is no coincident that this Lazarus and in the story of Lazarus and the rich man, Jesus uses the same name. Both are condemnations against leaders bound to an old way of thinking.

This parable of the pound or minas that precede His triumphal entry was an indictment against those forces that were soon to put Him to death. This parable grew out of another event listed in chapter 19, that of Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus. The rich young ruler (a ruler of the law) asked what must I do? seeking to justify himself. He went away saddened.

Zacchaeus however found Jesus through grace. Jesus never asks him to do anything yet he joyfully says, “I will give half of my possessions to the poor and if I have defrauded anyone I will repay fourfold.” Under the Old Covenant it is always about the rules a person must do while under the New Covenant it is about believing and receiving what Jesus has already done.

From this episode Jesus launches into His parable of the pounds or minas, after which Luke is clear to inform us that Jesus begins His entry into Jerusalem. He gives instructions for His disciples to bring the colt of a donkey to him.

From John’s gospel it is clear that the people gathered about Jesus waiving and spreading palm branches and their clothing before Him. This jubilant procession was in no small way related to the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This miracle galvanized the people’s adoration and incensed the Jewish rulers to the point that they searched for any avenue to put Jesus to death.

Jesus is journeying from Bethany (the house of affliction), through the mount of Olives (place of spiritual anointing) to the Temple (the house of God). It was on the mount of olives where the garden of gethsemane (olive press) was located. At gethsemane Jesus would soon experience his resolution through prayer and his arrest. The press of His soul would soon release the anointing of God through His resurrection and outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

In biblical times there was a causeway from the mount of olives to the eastern gate of the City that led toward the Temple. Near this causeway on the mount of Olive was a Jewish cemetery that at that time had existed for at least a thousand years. Many Jews believing that at the resurrection the Messiah would come through the eastern gate and they then would be the first to arise, desired to be buried here.

Jesus riding on a colt has often been thought to signify His humility. In reality when we look at Old Testament writings, as well as other references, entering a city riding on a colt was the conduct of a King. Riding on a donkey symbolized to the people that this was a King bringing peace rather than riding on a warhorse which was a sign of power and conquest.

The first biblical reference to this occurs in Genesis chapter 49 where Jacob prophecies over Judah. Zechariah 9:9 contains the direct reference to Jesus riding on a donkey. Jesus no doubt, was a King of peace and as our Melchizedek High Priest, is the King of Righteousness and the King of Peace; Heb. 7:2.

To the Jews who witnessed this occurrence, the meaning of Jesus riding on a donkey was evident. Remember Jesus wasn’t asked to ride on a donkey but it was He who commanded the disciples to bring Him a donkey.

Those gathered were well versed in the scriptures. When Jesus sat on the donkey, He was demonstrating that He was indeed the King of Israel. The reference to 1 Kings 1:32-36 was clear. Solomon was proclaimed King by His father David and told to ride on his father David’s mule to his coronation as those gathered rejoiced.

Jesus, the son of David, is now riding on a donkey into Jerusalem to the praises of the people and the waving of palm branches. He will also be crowned but with a crown of thorns. The waving of the palm branches directly relates to the feast of tabernacles. Palm branches were also used during Passover.

Solomon (meaning man of peace) is proclaimed King. He builds the Temple of God. Solomon’s temple is a type of the millennial reign and Kingdom order. He is sent to be King by His Father. His father David sends Zadok the priest (righteousness), Nathan the prophet (gift of God) and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada (son of the Lord, the son that God knows) to call Israel and anoint Solomon King.

These names relate to Jesus. Jesus is the priest of righteousness, He is the prophet, the gift of God and He is God’s son known by His Father. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem patterned in the Spirit what Solomon’s patterned in the natural.

Jesus was acknowledging His Kingship. The Jewish leaders were perplexed by the people’s response to the miracle of Lazarus’ raising and the events of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. Upon His entry into the City He cleanses the Temple. Jesus, cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves.

He takes direct authority over His Father’s house. He casts out those that buy and sell the gospel; He overturns the works of those that exchange the things of God for money; and He overthrows the seats (positions of authority) of those who control and profit off the Spirit of God. This is what Jesus is doing today. This is the judgment that has come upon the Church. He is cleansing it and making it a pure work.

If you were the Roman authorities or the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day, it would be easy to see that Jesus represented a real threat to their authority. After His entry into the City He not only cleanses the temple but he heals the blind (in our day the spiritually blind) and the lame (in our day those without a spiritual walk). He teaches in the temple and confounds the Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees. He curses the fig tree (fruitless Israel). He preaches with parables, like the parable of the two sons, one who said he would obey the father’s request and one who did not but later changed his mind. A clear indictment of the Jewish leaders. They are now united, more than ever, in their efforts to rid themselves of Jesus.

Passover with thousands of pilgrims attending the feast gives them the perfect opportunity to gain the help of the Roman rulers in putting Jesus to death. Without Palm Sunday, the crucifixion would not have happened. Jesus was powerfully fulfilling all that was written in the Law the Prophets and the Psalms concerning him.

One final thought. When Jesus was on His way from Bethany, across the Kidron Valley toward the eastern gate, the Jewish leaders as mentioned, were indignant demanding that Jesus stop the praises and adoration of the people. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out; Luke 19:39-40.

Later in the week they did hold their peace. Their praises turned to chastisement and cursing. So Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled. The rocks did cry out. As mentioned, there was a Jewish cemetery on the mount of olives near the causeway over which Jesus was walking into the City. Jesus was no doubt not speaking of all stones but specific stones in His pronouncement to the Pharisees.

Memorial stones are significant in many places in the Scriptures. Jacobs head stone that he set up as a pillar after his encounter with God. Joshua placing 12 stones in the river at the crossing of Israel into the promised land being two such examples.

Jews that were buried in the ground without a tomb had rocks placed over them to protect the bodies from animals. People would often leave stones on top of the graves when visiting gravesites as a way of remembrance. Others that had sepulchers, as with Jesus’ tomb, had large stones rolled in front of the openings.

When did the rocks cry out? And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many; Mat. 27:51-53.

The rocks of many of the graves of the saints of God broke open upon Jesus’ death. These were the rocks Jesus said would cry out if people held their praises. These were the rocks Jesus likely motioned to when the Pharisees told Him to make the adoring throngs keep silent. Jesus was rejected and without honor as the people kept silent. These saints went into the City and appeared to many, no doubt testifying about the truth of Jesus and giving glory to God.

The rocks cried out. The events of Palm Sunday were fully fulfilled as Jesus reversed the curse and rose victorious!

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Roger Roth Sr. is a ministry son of Dr. Mark Hanby. Together with his wife Karen, they are the set ministry of a local church in Northeastern Wisconsin, and oversee the Bloodline Network Newsletter. They consider it an honor to work with Dr. Hanby for many years, helping to oversee the ministry of Papa Mark’s extended family—”The Father’s Heart.”

      Any questions or comments please contact them at rogerandkaren@live.com