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The Triumphal Entry
The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!”
Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. Now the crowd that was with him had continued to spread the word that he had called Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead. Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” (NIV)

Introduction

“The whole world has gone after him.”

Some were afraid of him. They were afraid what might happen to the future of their religion under him. They were afraid of the government. They were afraid of the people. Others were excited. They were curious about Jesus: what kind of man is he? Is he going to establish a kingdom of righteousness? Then there were some who wanted to get rid of him.

The Crowd

“The whole world has gone after him.” Some of them followed him on his way to Jerusalem. Among them was a certain Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. This miracle caused astonishment among many people. Enthusiasm was evident. They realized that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem and they followed him thinking “the Way of Salvation has come; God will build his kingdom of peace.” The people had remembered the ancient saying, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” They saw it fulfilled: “Jesus is riding on a donkey”.

Many people are enticed by the jubilee and put their clothes on the road waving palm branches like flags for ‘the King of Israel.’ At the same time there are other people planning his death, attempting to accomplish it without appearing evil.

All these people. Doubters and unbelievers, for example: Who are they? Are they convinced that what the followers and believers say is correct? Or, do they only want to participate in the excitement?

Were the celebrants bringing about Jesus’ death because they elevated him into a position which others looked upon as dangerous? Later, the inscription, ‘King of the Jews’ placed upon the cross also became mockery for some of the people.

The Messiah

Jesus does not send the people away although he knew what was to come, what was ahead of him. Rather, not departing from them, staying, he reminds the individuals that his coming was prophesied in the Old Testament. Taking a donkey, riding into Jerusalem, Jesus says, “Yes, I am the Son , appointed by God, I am the Messiah”. At the same time he reminds the people his coming cannot be connected with any form of an earthly kingdom. We read in the Old Testament “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt of a donkey.” He comes as the one who offers salvation to the whole world. However, it happens in such a way that men cannot contribute anything to it. God himself is providing everything in sacrificing his only begotten Son.

No one is responsible for putting Jesus on the cross. No king. No enemy. No human being. Jesus, will die for other reasons. Only in this way is God’s way of salvation meant for the entire world.

Jesus is the Savior, from death, from the power of the devil. He accepts Jews and Gentiles alike. He offers all people forgiveness of sins.. He offers us righteousness and life because he died.

We know that until today this concept of the Messiah, the way in which God sent him, does not express the perspective of most people. The crowd wants a strong Savior and ruler, one who is able to care for all the unrighteous. The crowd and leaders of the world want quick results and visible success in this salvation instead of God preparing his kind of salvation for the world. Jesus says instead, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Jesus knows that the salvation of the world needs a lot of patience, love and time to grow. It is his will and the will of God who sent Him that every human being comes to the realization: there is no other salvation except this one offered by Jesus, who lived, suffered and died for us.

The raising of Lazarus from the dead is, according to the gospel of John, the last great sign of salvation that Jesus shared. Jesus has the power to raise Lazarus so he has the power to raise the whole world - all people. The sin of the world brought about his death. His own resurrection on Easter morning takes place for all people. We know this Savior because he went from life to death to life, similar to the wheat kernel. The seedling is able to produce new life. Jesus used God’s divine power to heal: the blind, the deaf and others as well as the raising of Lazarus. All are signs of salvation. However, this salvation does not come as the crowd expects redemption to arrive. God does not prevent suffering. God helps us through the seemingly intolerable experiences. He assists us to new life in eternal joy.

The Congregation

The congregation, the believers of Jesus’ time, is called upon to accept salvation in the manner in which it is received from God. Remembering statements about the Messiah, however, they see Jesus as one in the line of David’s royalty. What they believed as they followed Jesus into Jerusalem, we believe also. We, the Church, in these times, contemplate his Palm Sunday entrance, and the fact that he, the King of Israel, will suffer on the cross.

Throughout the accounts of the Gospels we are privileged to look at the entire event: the proclamation of his coming as the Messiah, the riding on the donkey, Jesus suffering, Jesus death, his resurrection and the announcement of his return. The pain and death of his triumph is the reason our happiness is rather subdued, quiet.

We know for certain that we do not need to wait for anyone else to come. We want to share the message with all people, just as Jesus did with the disciples when he came down from the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus went where he was needed. Our great excitement, our songs of thanksgiving and our praise of God can not be silenced under the cross. On the contrary. We sing out his resurrection.

On Good Friday we realize the salvation of the world was not possible through a different process. This is one of God’s ways of doing things. We are able to see beyond the pain and suffering and cross in full knowledge of the Light of Easter.

Our approach to Holy Week is joyful, just as was crowds because we have the Savior among us. In addition, we stand under the cross. As God’s people, the church, we are to share our faith in God’s Salvation. Go. Go, tell, and reveal the true love story of the original Palm Sunday ride to others. Share the celebration.

The Rev. Wolfgang Webern, Pastor Emeritus
Peace Lutheran Church
St. Anne , Missouri
WebernG@cs.com