Why does a crowd line the streets to herald a miracle-worker and prophet riding on a donkey with palms in their hand? Why do Christians re-enact this event every year on what they call Palm Sunday? Doesn’t this celebration contradict the events that follow during the week?
Palm Sunday is one of the pivotal moments of the Catholic liturgical year. It marks the beginning of Holy Week – a week appropriately named because of the value of the events it commemorates. Holy Week comprises of Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday (Jesus’ final meal with his apostles), Good Friday (Jesus’ crucifixion and death) and Holy Saturday (Jesus’ time in the tomb). Easter Sunday (Jesus’ resurrection from the dead) actually culminates the events of Holy Week but also opens up a new week and a new season of life, joy, hope and promise (Catholics call this Easter season).
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For now, let us turn our attention to Palm Sunday. Why is it a day of celebration? First and foremost, the incident from which we derive the celebration is one of only 10 incidents to be mentioned in all of the four gospels. Considering that the gospels were written by different individuals at different times and for different audiences, it is revealing that all four choose to mention this event. This tells us two things right out of the gate: the first, that this incident definitely took place historically and second, that it has universal significance.
The Bible tells us that Jesus, who had become quite a public figure by this time, went to Jerusalem one final time riding on a donkey. As he rode into town, a multitude gathered to herald him and they placed before him their cloaks and leafy branches. In three out of four gospels (Matthew, Mark and John) Jesus says nothing. In Luke, he speaks and what he says is startling. The people herald Jesus shouting, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven (Lk 19:38). Some of the religious leaders approach Jesus and tell him to instruct his disciples not to shout out these words for they had deep religious significance for the Jews. However, Jesus retorted, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” (Lk 19:40) This sounds absolutely ridiculous but when it comes from the mouth of someone who calmed a storm with his word, or multiplied bread and fish by praying over them, you take note. You know he is not joking. Jesus measured his words and he wasn’t going to get glib now.
The Jews were a persecuted people. Theirs is a history of subjugation. They were the smallest of all races and that is why they were chosen by God for a special cause. They have suffered under numerous dynasties and rulers but God raised up individuals from among them to save them and show them that He is their God and they are his people. Jewish civilization reached its height under King David (circa 1000 BCE). He was responsible for consolidating the Jewish tribes and establishing a strong nation. Thus, he was for them a saviour, a ruler par excellence and a just judge. The Jews never achieved a similar state of glory and peace since David and so they believed that someone like David would come one day and redeem them from their plight and restore them to former glory. This individual would be called the Messiah.
The Jews believed that the Messiah would be a kingly figure who would wield heavenly power and vanquish all their enemies and establish an everlasting kingdom. With all this background information, one can begin to see why the Jewish religious leaders were understandably upset that the people were calling Jesus the Messiah. He seemingly had none of the trappings of the Messiah-figure. And yet, Christians believe him to be the Messiah. He did not fulfil the Jewish expectations but he fulfilled all that the Scriptures foretold about the Messiah. The Jews are still awaiting the Messiah; the Christians are celebrating Him!
The only time people lined the streets and heralded an individual was when they were welcoming royalty or war heroes. They would spread their cloaks on the road as if to create a carpet for him to walk on. The leafy branches were a symbol of victory and fruitfulness which the individual represented. They would shout praises in his honour. Notice how all of these are recorded as taking place when Jesus enters Jerusalem. Thus, Jesus is symbolically presented as a King – the Messiah. The only difference is that a king would ride in on a horse – an animal that represents power and authority. Jesus rides in on a donkey – a beast of burden and a lowly animal – representing a servant. He isn’t a military king; He is a servant-leader.
Christians celebrate Palm Sunday as a way of honouring Jesus as the Messiah. He did not vanquish any physical enemies but through his passion, death and resurrection he vanquished the ultimate enemies of humankind – suffering and death. His resurrection is a sign that life does not cease with death. It is a doorway to everlasting life. Hence, Easter is not just an event but an ongoing experience that is celebrated for a period of about 40 days and then subsequently celebrated on every Sunday thereafter. Palm Sunday merits a celebration because it recognizes in Jesus the ultimate power over every deficiency and disease. Jesus is the Messiah who saves all of us through His suffering and death.
