Our thoughts over the last few weeks have helped us focus on the reason for the cross and the events of Easter Sunday. The journey rests today, a single week before Christianity’s most sacred Sunday. Traditionally, Christianity has called this day, “Palm Sunday.” Each day this week, we will look at the activities and teachings of Jesus as each day he journeys one step closer to the cross.
It was all about the palm branches – that is what made the day unique – or was it?
The gospel writer John gives us a little insight into the manners and customs of the day about the use of palm branches thrown in the way. John writes, “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of the palm trees and went out to meet him” (John 12:12-13a NET).
Was the tradition to place palm branches on the road as out-of-town rabbis came to Jerusalem? History does not seem to indicate that, but the practice infuriated the religious leaders of the day. They were furious about what the people shouted.
Sunday Shouts
“They began to shout, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel who comes in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13b).
The Pharisees were concerned because the roads to Jerusalem were filled with extra security – Roman soldiers – during special feast days. Compare it to the extra police presence that we experience during Thunder over Louisville. The Pharisees were concerned that when the Roman soldiers heard the word, “King,” they would think that the Jewish people wanted to overthrow Caesar and would respond with force.
Luke tells us in his gospel that the Pharisees yelled at Jesus to tell his followers to be quiet lest the Romans heard them. Jesus calmly told them that even if the people were quiet, the stones would cry out.
But the people were not thinking about overthrowing Rome. They were thrilled that Jesus was coming in the name of the Lord. Their understanding of the King who came in the name of the Lord was who we understand today as the Messiah. John continues to explain that the people didn’t understand exactly what was happening, but they were able to put things together after Easter morning.
John continues to help us understand the events. “Now some Greeks were among those who had gone up to worship at the feast. So these approached Philip who was from Bethsaida in Galilee” (John 12:20). People from as far away as Greece didn’t always travel to Jerusalem for the Passover. But this year, people were coming from all over because the word had spread about what Jesus had accomplished a short time before. Everyone was talking about the fact that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead.
Understanding Soldiers
The Roman soldiers understood palm branches even without the shouts. They knew what the activities symbolized. Spreading coats and garments on the path represented the surrendered lives of conquered people. The palm branches meant a joyous recognition of the return of the victorious king.
Jesus did not ask them to be quiet. He had come to Jerusalem to save his people. He is the Messiah. Salvation wasn’t the problem.
The problem was how Jesus would bring salvation. People wanted salvation, freedom, and success. It was true then, just as it is true today. Freedom meant they wanted the Messiah to march into the city and do hard business with Rome. They wanted to be free from oppression, even if it took threats and plagues and a split sea, just like it did after the first Passover. The people knew their history. They wanted another exodus.
It is at this point that someone is sure to mention that the fickle people’s “Hosannas” would soon become “Crucify him!” Perhaps there were some who shouted both. But the majority of those who cried “Hosanna” were home asleep in bed when religious leaders and their gathered crowd yelled, “Crucify.”
A Real Exodus
Jesus was about to start an exodus, but it wasn’t over Roman governments, Greek philosophies, or even Republicans or Democrats. Politics is just a symptom of the real problem, the real oppressor, the real ruler who needs to be conquered. Sin.
Centuries later, we still must understand that – and we still need to spread palm branches and coats in front of Jesus. An arrogant Republican who tries to be a dictator or an elderly Democrat who couldn’t remember what he was supposed to do is not what causes wars and rumors of wars.
I know my heart. The problem is inside. After all, Jesus came to save sinners. Sinners like you and me.