Palm Sunday celebrates the final week of Christ’s life on earth. It marks the beginning of what is now known as Holy Week, or Christ’s Passion Week. This week stood at the crux (pun intended) of Christ’s redeeming work as he would soon be arrested, beaten, mocked, tortured and crucified. His painful sufferings would culminate in his death, burial, and triumph over death through his resurrection. Later, Christ’s suffering became central to Gospel proclamation (see Acts 10:34-43; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Speaking of triumph, Jesus’ entrance into the Holy city thousands of years ago on this Sunday has become known as the “Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem.” It appears in each of the Gospel narratives. In the Gospels, it began with Christ entering Jerusalem as a triumphant King. In Matthew 21:1-2, Jesus told his disciples to fetch him a donkey, which he would use to ride into Jerusalem, the central place of Jewish worship. This description, according to Matthew, highlighted the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy in the Old Testament. Zechariah 9:9 says,

“Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’

Note that Zechariah describes Christ as a peaceful king. He did not come riding on a horse as to stir people into battle. Rather, he rode on a donkey, representing he was coming in peace. This was not a novel concept, because the Messianic king was also labeled as Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Though such peace was first proclaimed to the Jewish people, its effects were intended for the whole world, including you and I into the equation. Peter confirmed salvation and peace came to all in Christ Jesus when he preached to Cornelius, a Gentile, and his family. Acts 10:34-36 records, “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all’.”

Jesus’ arrival and triumphant entry was the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy given to Judah by Jacob in Genesis 49:10-11, “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his. He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.” Alastair Roberts correctly points out, “The words of this prophecy sound a pregnant note, powerfully reverberating in the resonating chamber of the history we have cursorily surveyed. It recalls the blessing of Jacob over his son Judah and some of the most glorious and tragic episodes in Israel’s uneven history. This coming King is the true bearer of Judah’s sceptre. He is the one who will establish the kingdom, the greater than Saul and the Son of David. He will realize the unfulfilled promise of Solomon, who fell short of his name and calling to be the Prince of Peace.”* 

One of the greatest longings of the human race is the desire for peace. In a world currently raged by pandemic, famine, war, and evil, peace is at the top of the list of everyone’s greatest desires. As the joke goes, when pageant competitors ask what they wish for, the answer given is, “world peace.” Though cliche, it certainly speaks of the human race for physical, emotional, and spiritual peace. Peace, however, is only possible through suffering. But, the good news is that Christ suffered so that we would indeed be granted ultimate peace. Isaiah put it this way, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Jesus is our peace! In the midst of our chaotic times, we not only have the message of peace, we have peace itself! We have Jesus! As Paul put it in Ephesians 2:14-16, “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.”

This week, as we reflect on Christ’s last week on earth:

1. Let us not forget the blessings we already possess because of his sacrificial love for us.
2. Let us not forget that his peace is otherworldly. In other word, it surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:6-7)
3. Let us not forget he is the kingly bearer of peace and to those who live under his reign peace is freely granted (Isaiah 9:6)
4. Let us remember his peace comfort us and drives away all fear:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

If your heart is heavy, I offer you two prayers (One from the 2nd and one from the 3rd century):

Be kind to Your little children, Lord; that is what we ask of You as their Tutor, You the Father, Israel’s guide; Son, yes, but Father as well. Grant that by doing what You told us to do, we may achieve a faithful likeness to the Image and, as far as is possible for us, may find in You a good God and a lenient Judge. May we all live in the peace that comes from You. May we journey towards Your city, sailing through the waters of sin untouched by the waves, borne tranquilly along by the Holy Spirit, Your Wisdom beyond all telling. Night and day until the last day of all, may our praises give You thanks, our thanksgiving praise You: You who alone are both Father and Son, Son and Father, the Son who is our Tutor and our Teacher, together with the Holy Spirit. – Prayer of St. Clement of Alexandria

O Sovereign and Almighty Lord, bless all Thy people and all Thy flock. Give peace, Thy help, Thy love unto us, Thy servants the sheep of Thy fold, that we may be united in the bond of peace and love, one body and one spirit, in one hope of our calling, in Thy Divine and boundless love; for the sake of Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep. Amen. – Prayer of St. Mark

Written by Daniel Messina

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*Read one of my articles here: https://thepreachersdevoblog.com/19-lessons-covid-19-has-taught-me/

*https://politicaltheology.com/the-politics-of-the-kings-donkey-luke-1928-40/