Palm Sunday, March 28 Holy Week Day Three

Misguided Expectations: The Irony of Palm Sunday

Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:1-11; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 9:23-27

The arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem provides for us a helpful portrait of the purpose of Christ’s coming. It also challenges us to reflect upon our own understanding of Christ’s mission and our approach to Him. Striking ironies embedded in the triumphal entry underscore these points of reflection.

The first irony is seen in the means of Jesus’ arrival in the city, riding on a colt. He had instructed the disciples to enter the nearby village where they would find both a donkey and a colt which they were to untie and bring to Him. If questioned, they were to simply reply, “The Lord has need of them…” (Matthew 21:3). The irony lies in the colt itself as a vehicle of transport for the Lord. The Jews were looking for a king, a mighty warrior, a powerful potentate that would deliver them from Roman tyranny. Such a monarch would normally enter the capital city with a festive parade, on a horse, and donned in grand regalia. Jesus was on a colt with seat padding provided by the disciples’ coats. A king modeling humility was not what they expected.

The second irony is seen in the palm branches. Solomon’s temple made use of the palm motif as a means of highlighting prosperity, victory, and beauty (I Kings 6:29, 32, 35; 7:36). Clearly the expectation of those greeting Jesus was that He would grant to them prosperity, rule their nation, and return their national pride and influence. Jesus, however, had come not to rule their nation, but to rule their hearts.

The final irony is evident in the shout of the people, “Hosanna!” which means “Save us!” The people of Israel had a storied history of foreign domination. Jesus was their hope for national freedom. But Jesus had not come to overturn the Roman tyranny through mighty force that would land Him on a throne. He had come instead to overturn the power of sin and Satan, breaking the relentless chains of guilt and despair, a mission that would not come by way of a throne, but rather a rugged cross. Sadly our hopes and expectations of Christ are too often equally misguided. We want power, strength, and control. Christ calls us to humility. We want prosperity and victory. He invites us to share in His sufferings. We desire honor, position, and significance and yet, He asks us to die to self and lose our lives so that ultimately they may be found.

Prayer: Father, teach us to submit our expectations to your will and purpose, and help us to see that strength may be found in weakness, victory in suffering, and life in death.