A Concord Minute: The triumphant entry for you

“The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD, even the King of Israel!’” John 12:12-13

This year, March 24 in the church’s calendar is Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week in which Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem is revisited.

This event is portrayed in the Gospel of John, chapter 12, verses 12-15, where a multitude welcomes Jesus with palm branches, shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

The imagery of John 12:12-15 starts with Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, with crowds spreading their cloaks and palm branches on the road. Fulfilling Old Testament prophecy, especially Zechariah 9:9, this entry into Jerusalem highlights Jesus’ identity as the long-awaited King. At least that is what Israel thought Jesus’ entry was supposed to mean: our king is here.

The crowd’s response to Jesus’ entry echoes with enthusiastic cries of “Hosanna,” an expression of praise and adoration meaning “Save us!” They recognize Jesus as the one who comes in the name of the Lord, the one who they thought would be King. Regrettably, their understanding of Jesus’ kingship is likely clouded by political expectations, anticipating liberation from Roman oppression rather than spiritual deliverance from their sin and idolatry.

What the crowds (and people sometimes today) miss about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is this: Jesus did not come into the world for military conquest or political power. Jesus came into Jerusalem solely for the sake of His sacrificial love for all creation, including you. This sacrificial love will lead Him to the cross Good Friday and leave the tomb three days later.

Palm Sunday serves as the kickstarter to the events of Holy Week. This Jesus that enters Jerusalem as the supposed king will ultimately be hung on a cross. Why? Because His own people reject Him as their king. “We have no king but Caesar” cried the crowds. How ironic! How thoroughly human.

The palm branches that symbolized peace and victory will be replaced by whips and cords and three nails. The King will be slain. The King will seemingly lose. But God be praised: the King will win. How? By the ultimate triumph over sin and death in His own death and resurrection. His leaving from the tomb three days later is your triumphal entry into life everlasting.

God’s richest blessings on your Holy Week celebrations!

The Rev. Matthew Berry is pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Sikeston, Missouri. Based in Sikeston’s Historic North End, Concordia is a member congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), a theologically conservative, biblically sound, Christ-centered church.