Palm Sunday, this coming Sunday, is the beginning of Holy Week and marks Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. When Jesus rode the donkey, it was a fulfillment of the Old Testament (Zech 9:9). If Jesus had rode in on a horse, it would have meant to many that he was preparing for war. The governor, Pontius Pilate, would have rode into Jerusalem on a war horse.
Palm branches and leaves were a sign of special honor, given to kings. They are collected after Palm Sunday, and burned, and then used for Ash Wednesday the following year. In this way, they are symbol for repentance, that we have not always welcomed Jesus.
“Hosanna” could be translated “Save us please!” It was an exclamation that could be used in welcoming and praising the coming Messiah. Matthew’s Palm Sunday account notes “Hosanna to the Son of David,” a definite naming of Jesus as God’s Anointed One.
Palm Sunday provides a crucial pivot point. In the church lectionary, two gospel texts are given for this Sunday. The first, Matthew 21:1-11, heralds the triumphal entry. The second, Matthew 26:14-27:66, relates the Passion, the crucifixion of Christ.
As we prepare for Sunday, we thus can reflect on Palms and Passion. And a bonus question for you as you prepare for Sunday: In our gospel text this Sunday, Matthew 21:1-11, TWO (donkeys) are brought to Jesus. It’s mentioned twice. Why?
