Scripture Readings: Isaiah 50: 4 – 9 & Matthew 21: 1 – 11
Daily communion with God helps us maintain confidence in Him during life’s most difficult times. In Isaiah 50, the statement “The Lord God helps me,” is repeated to witness the trust made in pain. In the face of scorn and rejection by humans, God is steadfast. God will empower us as communities of faith and give us His steadfast, never-failing, liberating, and transforming love. God is our source of hope even when life is at its worst. May we express our joy and gratitude to God even in our tough times.
Today’s text invites us to God’s gladness and suffering. Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem had been foreshadowed with growing anticipation. In Matthew 20, Jesus mentioned Jerusalem again in his third passion prediction. Jesus’ disciples and people may have been anticipating the triumphant king setting up his kingdom as soon as he arrived in Jerusalem. The healed blind men by Jesus called him “Son of David,” and the healing made momentum toward the triumphal entry. This marked the high point of Jesus’ earthly life, prior to his death and resurrection, but five days later the crowd shouted for the king’s execution.
For his proper entrance into the city, Jesus sent two disciples into the village, foretelling their discovery of a donkey and her colt. Jesus said to them, “you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If you face questions, just say, the Lord needs them.” Jesus wants us to untie the tied one for the Lord and bring it to Jesus. The Lord had already prepared the hearts of the animals’ owner.
In Matthew, the two disciples obeyed Jesus, and the two animals were brought to Jesus. In Luke and Mark, only one donkey was expressed. The disciples placed their coats on the donkey and the colt, providing a saddle. Jesus is the eternal king, the promised Messiah, who comes in the name of the Lord, but he sat on the colt, riding a humble animal. Our king Jesus is meek in spirit, possessing tremendous power, but wielding it gently, for purposes of peace.
The disciples and the crowd spread their robes on the street, signifying a royal procession and praise Jesus as king, as though to give him the ‘red carpet treatment’. The disciples and the crowd lay down their cloaks for Jesus in a powerful gesture of adoration and self-sacrifice. Others cut branches nearby trees and extend the special carpet into the city. Not here, but John 12:13 tells us the branches were “palm branches,” thus we celebrate “Palm Sunday” five days before Good Friday and seven days before “Easter.” The crowd joins the procession and shouts Hosanna, praising God for all the miraculous signs Jesus had given.
As the crowd moved along, they shouted words of praise and celebrated the arrival of Israel’s Saviour, the Messiah-King. Hosanna is a plea to “save,” but it has become an expression of praise for God’s salvation here. The identity of Jesus as the promised royal Son of David was proclaimed with praise, but the crowd did not fully understand who Jesus really is. They worshiped Jesus as the one who comes in the name of the Lord and shouted, “Hosanna in the highest!” May we move forward with Jesus, praise the Lord together, and celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry.
They knew Jesus had come to restore his kingdom, but they missed the fact that he was also here to redeem his people. They anticipated the sovereignty or authority but overlooked the sacrifice and redemption. Jesus is our king, brings peace, and rules with redemption and love.
On this Sixth Sunday in Lent, celebration and praise converge with loss and grief, and strength and vulnerability coexist. As in our Lenten textbook written by Andrew, people welcome Jesus with joy and expectation while religious leaders complain. The story is vibrant with gladness, and Jesus receives the king’s welcome and praise. In this gladness, Jesus knows that the joy of the crowd will fade away and that the pain of the cross will come to him. However, that does not stop him joining in people’s gladness. Jesus always shows love and generosity even in pain or under pressure. Who will continue to be glad and generous during their own suffering. Jesus did. May we support each other when someone is under pressure or in pain.
We are walking with Jesus toward the crucifixion and the mourning that follows. As we consider again our shared identity as the church and community of faith, may we develop communal faith and do courageous proclamation. May we find the courage to march with Jesus and proclaim a word of peace and reconciliation.
Jesus has become the undeniable expression of God’s presence, and the crowd’s hosannas echo throughout the road. He can be expressed as a divine warrior who would ride on the back of a donkey, symbolizing peace and reconciliation. May we join this triumphal march and participate in Jesus’ suffering at the same time. It is possible when we walk with peace and reconciliation in Christ and stand with “the one who comes in the name of the Lord” (v. 9). Jesus invites us to embody peace and reconciliation as an ongoing practice and stand boldly with Jesus.
Jesus is the Messiah-King, having absolute authority and deserving worship from all people and bringing peace. May we not replace our worship of God with secular pursuits. History is filled with the stories of those who have recognized that we are able to accomplish more together than we can alone. May God bless you as we continue our Lenten journey during Passion Week. In today’s text, Jesus’ glory was openly recognized through their praises. I hope that we can also glorify the Lord through our own praise and thanksgiving. May we journey with Jesus into Passion Week and follow Jesus’ Journey among Gladness and Pain and make lots of room for grace this Holy Week.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
(Ref. Bible, commentaries, theological books, UCA materials)
