Ouachita Stories

Palm Sunday is a significant part of Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday. Many of us also connect Palm Sunday with the Triumphal Entry, when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem riding on a donkey with crowds of people waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna!” But when one steps back and recognizes the symbols and history apparent in this event, I think Jesus’ entry takes on a greater meaning.

The Triumphal Entry has connections to Old Testament prophecy and Israelite traditions. Part of the reason Jerusalem was so crowded that week was because of the Passover celebration, remembering the Exodus from Egypt. People had also come to see Jesus because they had heard how he had performed many miracles, including recently resurrecting Lazarus. In the Gospel of John, Lazarus’ resurrection is recorded in the chapter before the Triumphal Entry, perhaps emphasizing the connection between the two events. Whether they followed him to Jerusalem or not, Jesus had certainly attracted many people thanks to his miracles.

Most significantly, Jesus’ entry depicts him as a victorious yet humble king. Donkeys and mules were often ridden by Old Testament royalty (Judges 5:10, 2 Samuel 16:2), so the donkey Jesus rides on becomes a symbol of his authority. As an animal used for work, it also acts as a symbol of humility and peace, which is a common interpretation. This event also fulfills a prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 which says, “Look, your king is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey.”

Even the cry of the people is from Psalm 118:26: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” As he rode through the city, the people waved their palm branches — a symbol of righteousness — before Jesus to celebrate their king’s arrival.

Despite the celebration, the disciples and many of the people did not fully understand the significance of who Jesus is. The crowds mostly saw him as a prophet (Matthew 21:10-11). If anyone saw him as a king, they likely did so in a political sense, as it was a common belief that the Messiah would be a political king who would end the Roman occupation for the Jews. Aside from that, it was unthinkable to his own disciples that Jesus should have to die as he said he would (Matthew 16:21-22, Mark 9:30-32).

Even though the prophecies were fulfilled in front of their eyes, many did not realize Jesus’ true purpose until after his death and resurrection.

The Old Testament parallels paired with the resurrection bring the significance of Palm Sunday to light. Palm Sunday is an image of triumph and celebration before the betrayal and humiliation of Good Friday. In the wake of his death, the resurrection on Easter Sunday becomes Jesus’ true victory — not over a mere earthly kingdom, but over death and sin.

Jesus conquers death and his sacrifice brings peace between God and man.

 

Clayton Carter is a junior Christian studies major from Murphy, Texas.

 

 

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• Campus Ministries
• School of Christian Studies