Palm Sunday

                                                                 

This Sunday many are celebrating Palm Sunday. It was on this day that Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This event is recorded in Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-40; and John 12:12-19.  It is called Palm Sunday because Jesus was welcomed by multitudes cutting down branches of palm trees and spreading them on the road that He entered into Jerusalem on, riding on a donkey.

"And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David” (Matthew 21:9), "Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Mark 11:10) “Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord." (John 12:13).

First of all, this ride into Jerusalem fulfilled a prophecy in Zechariah.

“All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.'" [Zachariah 9:9]

Second of all, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey it fulfilled a type and shadow from when King David showed Israel that Solomon, the son of David, was the chosen King of Israel by having Solomon ride into Jerusalem on his mule. (1Kings 1:33, 1Kings 1:5-1Kings 1:46).

Thirdly, Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem fulfilled the Mosaic Law when He went into the house of God and cleansed it before Passover of "leaven" - money changers that had come to occupy it. (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon “leaven” – a metaphor of moral corruption).

"Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me…"

“So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude [that were there for upcoming Passover] spread their clothes on the road [act of homage for royalty - 2 Kings 9:13]; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road." - Matthew 21:1-8