Palm Sunday: the triumphal entry and its meaning for us today

Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, essentially the most sacred week within the Christian calendar. It is the day we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when crowds welcomed Him with palm branches and laid their cloaks on the road before Him, crying out, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who is available in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:8-9).

It was a moment of celebration, honour and public recognition. Yet it was also a moment stuffed with deep spiritual meaning, because this King was unlike some other the world had ever seen. Palm Sunday reveals that Jesus is the King who is available in humility before He reigns in glory.

The King who got here in humility

According to the Gospels, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy: “See, your king involves you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:4-5; John 12:14-15). He didn’t come on a war horse, as earthly rulers often did when displaying strength and conquest. He got here gently, peacefully and humbly (Matthew 11:29; Philippians 2:7-8).

This is what makes Palm Sunday so powerful. Jesus was, and is, the true King – the Son of God, the promised Messiah – yet He selected the trail of humility (John 18:37; Matthew 16:16; Philippians 2:6-8). From His birth in a manger to His ministry of service, compassion and obedience, Jesus consistently revealed a kingdom that looked completely different from the kingdoms of this world (Luke 2:7; Mark 10:45; Hebrews 5:8; John 18:36).

He was not a King who got here to dominate, but to save lots of (Luke 19:10; John 3:17). He didn’t come to demand service, but to serve (Mark 10:45; John 13:4-5). He didn’t come to take lives, but to put down His own (John 10:17-18; Isaiah 53:12). 

A rare moment of public recognition

Palm Sunday stands out since it is one in all the few moments during Jesus’ earthly ministry when He was openly honoured as King. So often, Jesus moved quietly, avoided public spectacle, and withdrew from those that desired to make Him king on their very own terms (John 6:15; Mark 1:44-45). But here, as He entered Jerusalem, the people publicly acknowledged Him (Matthew 21:9; John 12:12-13).

The waving of palm branches and the laying down of cloaks were gestures of honour often reserved for royalty and victors (2 Kings 9:13). The people recognised that Jesus was no extraordinary man. They saw something of His majesty, even when many didn’t yet fully understand the type of King He truly was (John 12:16; Luke 19:42).

In some ways, Palm Sunday is a glimpse of the honour Jesus has all the time deserved. Throughout His life, He received far less recognition than He was worthy of. The Creator entered His creation and was largely rejected (John 1:10-11). The Saviour got here to His people and was misunderstood, resisted and ultimately crucified (Isaiah 53:3; John 19:15-16). Yet He remained faithful to His mission (Luke 9:51; Hebrews 12:2).

There were only a couple of visible moments when people outwardly expressed the reverence He deserved – resembling when Mary of Bethany anointed Him with costly oil, when Peter confessed Him because the Christ, and even in bitter irony when Roman soldiers placed a crown on His head in mockery (John 12:3; Mark 14:8-9; Matthew 16:16; Mark 8:29; Matthew 27:29; Mark 15:17).

Palm Sunday is one in all those moments when His kingship is said publicly, at the same time as the shadow of the cross draws near.

The tragedy and fantastic thing about Palm Sunday

There is something deeply moving about Palm Sunday since it holds each joy and sorrow together. Even on this moment of public honour (Luke 19:38-40), Jesus knew the town had not truly understood Him. Luke records that as He approached Jerusalem, He wept over it (Luke 19:41-42).

The crowds shouted “Hosanna,” meaning “save us” or “save, we pray” (Matthew 21:9; Psalm 118:25-26). They celebrated Jesus as He entered the town. But inside days, a lot of those self same voices would turn (Matthew 27:22-23; Mark 15:13-14). The city that welcomed Him would reject Him (Luke 23:21; John 19:15). The King who was praised could be condemned (Matthew 27:26; Isaiah 53:3).

This shows the stark difference between the fragility of human loyalty and the unwavering love of Christ (Psalm 118:8-9; Romans 8:38-39). Jesus entered Jerusalem knowing exactly what awaited Him (John 18:4; Matthew 16:21). He knew the cross was coming. He knew the suffering, humiliation and agony that lay ahead (Isaiah 53:4-5; Mark 10:33-34). Yet He still got here (Luke 9:51; John 10:17-18).

He didn’t turn back. He didn’t abandon His mission (Hebrews 12:2; John 17:4). He pressed on in love, because He got here to reconcile us to the Father through His sacrifice (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

Palm Sunday, then, shouldn’t be only about celebration. It is in regards to the type of King Jesus is: one who walks humbly and willingly toward suffering with a purpose to redeem His people (Philippians 2:8; Mark 10:45; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

What Palm Sunday means for us today

Palm Sunday shouldn’t be only a historical event to recollect. It is a call to reply.

Jesus still deserves our honour, our worship and our give up day-after-day — every hour, every moment. He shouldn’t be only the King the crowds welcomed into Jerusalem; He is the risen King who reigns eternally.

The query Palm Sunday places before us is that this: how can we receive Him?

Do we welcome Him only when it feels joyful and simple, or can we remain faithful when following Him leads us into sacrifice, obedience and give up? Do we praise Him with our lips but resist Him in our hearts? Do we truly recognise Him as King?

To call Jesus King means greater than admiring Him. It means yielding to Him. It means trusting His ways over our own. It means allowing Him to reign in every area of our lives.

Palm Sunday invites us to put down greater than palm branches. It invites us to put down our pride, our self-will, our sin and our divided loyalties before the feet of Christ.

Final thoughts: Hosanna to our King

Jesus lived humbly from birth to death. He was born in lowliness, lived in service, and gave Himself in sacrificial love on the cross. Yet He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, worthy of all glory, honour and praise. In a world that prizes status and recognition, may we also learn to follow His example of humility and sacrificial love, surrendering our pride and walking in complete trust, obedience and repair to the Father.

Even when the world fails to recognise Him, Jesus remains to be King. He all the time has been, and He all the time will likely be.

So dear reader, as Holy Week begins, allow us to not rush past this moment. Let us pause and behold our humble King entering Jerusalem, to not seize an earthly throne, but to win everlasting salvation for us through His death and resurrection.

The One who entered Jerusalem in humility can be the One whom God highly exalted, and before whom every knee will bow and each tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:11th of September).

May our hearts cry out with sincere faith: “Hosanna to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.” Have a blessed Palm Sunday!