He came in humility and love

David Jones on the history and meaning of Palm Sunday in relation to today’s world

THE people of Jerusalem thronged to greet the coming of Jesus with palm branches and shouts of Hosanna that first Palm Sunday.

The whole city in party mood – celebrating the coming of the Messiah, the promised King.

They had heard from Jesus words of peace and love, and had witnessed acts of kindness and healing that confounded the empty religiosity of the religious elite.

How then that by the end of the week the shouts had changed to ‘Crucify Him’?

The religious hierarchy, the Pharisees and scribes had whipped up hatred and jealousy to such an extent that the praise and welcome Jesus received was soon turned to cries of condemnation. Within days Pontius Pilate had washed his hands, the disciples of Jesus were scattered and the proclaimed kingdom of God’s righteousness and justice seemed well trodden underfoot.

The likes of Caiaphas, the chief Priest smugly content in that they had succeeded in turning praise to hatred and mob rule.

They were, however, doomed to failure.

Jesus entered Jerusalem that first Palm Sunday to proclaim that evil and sin were on borrowed time.

The people shouted ‘Hosanna’ – a Hebrew word which means “he who saves.” He came to claim the city as his own and to establish forever a kingdom of righteousness and truth which would be fulfilled on Easter Day, the day of resurrection.

The history of the world has seen countless kingdoms rise and fall and by today there are many cruel and tyrannical dictatorships causing endless suffering while at the same time condoning injustice and tyranny.

To hear in the 21st Century of draconian laws that would meter out death by stoning in the name of religion is completely at odds with the love, forgiveness and grace of God revealed to us in Jesus Christ. Palm Sunday brings the judgement of God on all who cause such misery and distress and that judgement will come where there is no repentance or change.

The King came to Jerusalem that first Palm Sunday.

He came in humility and love to bring us hope and to proclaim that evil and death will never have the final word.

This Palm Sunday we join in the acclamation of praise ‘Hosanna, to Him who comes in the Name of the Lord’.

As we enter Holy Week may the joy and peace of Christ be yours.