Palm Sunday as a Warning

Very often Palm Sunday is a beautiful observance. Whether there is a procession or not, there are likely to be palm branches ( or some local green substitute). A Gospel about Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem is likely to be read, and there are probably some rousing hymns or songs of praise. Christians of all sorts like to praise Jesus, and even many "nice" unbelievers don't mind joining in if it is a pretty spring morning.

Yet, in truth, sometimes we don't stop to consider the deeper meanings of the commemoration. Jesus comes as a peaceful and humble King to claim His throne, and the crowd seems to have a partial appreciation. They use Messianic titles and shout "Hosanna" which means "save now." This expression, Hosanna, is great, but we should beware. A crowd may have divergent views about what it means to be saved and differing understandings of what happens "now." Many in the crowd were looking for political salvation from Roman oppression, and they hoped that now- that Palm Sunday- the great Jewish Revolt was starting under the leadership of Jesus the Messiah.

They misunderstood. They had not really listened to or understood Jesus for a long time. They had overlooked the spiritual and moral implications of salvation. They did not see that "now" was a time of repentance and conversion, a time to choose a higher way. Now was a time of humility and suffering and sacrifice. It was not a time for a great military or political victory, but a time for victory over sin and death through cross and resurrection. And because of their misunderstanding and impatience, many members of that crowd may have been among another crowd that would soon shout "crucify him."

For us then, Palm Sunday is a warning. Although we have long heard the message and the story of Jesus, our understandings and applications are often incomplete. We tend to focus on great displays and worldly blessings just as the Jerusalem crowds did. And we want such things "now."
Therefore, let us focus on the spiritual dimensions of Palm Sunday and Holy Week. We need to understand the spiritual character of salvation through Christ. We need to be patient and see that the "now" of our salvation is to look to, understand, and have faith in Jesus as the deliverer who comes in the name of His heavenly Father.