As we worship on this Palm Sunday, we give thanks to God for the first Palm Sunday when our Lord Jesus made His “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem. If you remember the story, this is where Jesus rode into the city on a donkey to fulfill a long awaited prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 in the Old Testament. It reads:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your king coming unto you; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon a donkey, even upon a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zech 9:9).
No earthly king would have been caught dead riding on a donkey anywhere, especially not into the city over which he was setting up the rule of his kingdom. Yet, Jesus is not like the kings of the earth. He is not a king who came seeking power and riches, but He came giving His power and riches away. He is not a king who came demanding service, but a king who came to serve. He came in meekness and lowliness because He understood that the only way to the crown, was by first going to the cross. Thank you for going to the cross for us Lord Jesus, that you took on a crown of thorns, that we might gain a crown of righteousness.
Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! – Matthew 21:9
“Almighty and everlasting God, which of thy tender love toward men, hast sent our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; mercifully grant that we both follow the example of his patience, and be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Palm Sunday Collect from the Collects of Thomas Cranmer
