12The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!” 14Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: 15“Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” 16His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. 17So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. 18It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. 19The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!”
Thoughts: The suspense has been lifted and Jesus does indeed show up. But he doesn't just mosey into town, low key and without fanfare...no he comes in as the Messiah! We often miss this point, but the things that Jesus does on what we call Palm Sunday are a clear provocation to any who have thus far doubted who he claims to be--he rides in as the anointed and allows the palm branches (a national symbol) to be used in his approach. I wonder if there is not also a prophetic moment in the statement: "You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!" Indeed, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Questions: Would you march in a parade for Jesus?
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